This decision is both brave and correct. “It shows the government’s concern and commitment to the proper management of Rwanda’s most valuable natural asset.” By Fauna & Flora International and WWF
The Government of Rwanda, one of the three range States for the Critically Endangered mountain gorilla, is making headlines for doubling the price to spend one hour with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park from US$750 to US$1,500.
While this has received some mixed reactions amongst the private sector and within the region, WWF and Fauna & Flora International, who collaborate on mountain gorilla conservation via the coalition International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), celebrate the move in order to manage a growing tourism sector within ecological limits.
“This decision is both brave and correct,” said Fauna & Flora International’s Chief Executive Mark Rose. “It shows the government’s concern and commitment to the proper management of Rwanda’s most valuable natural asset.”
Demand for this unique experience is high, while the number of mountain gorillas remains very low; fewer than 900 individuals exist in very restricted forests on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
“Provided tourism figures for gorilla encounters remain high, this move is likely to benefit both gorillas and people,” said Anna Behm Masozera, Director of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme. “I hope, and in fact fully expect, international tourists will continue to travel to Rwanda and to the region to experience a moment in time with the mountain gorillas, free and wild in their native forests.”
The price change has been coupled with a decision to increase the percentage of total park revenue earmarked and used for conservation and development projects in neighbouring communities from 5% to 10%. The Rwanda Development Board has informed stakeholders that the raise in permit price will also fund targeted investments over the long term to ensure a higher value experience for tourists, a safer environment for the gorillas, and exploration of innovative ways to expand habitat when and where it results in a clear win for both gorillas and people.
“When you consider the threats the population has endured over the years including war, hunting, habitat destruction and disease, it is encouraging that the mountain gorilla has not gone extinct. Placing a high premium on this unique experience and investing more in community conservation is a welcome move,” said Margaret Kinnaird, WWF Wildlife Practice Leader.
WWF and Fauna & Flora International understand that, irrespective of the permit fees increment, the current regulations to minimise potential negative impacts of tourism on gorillas – ensuring a limited number of tourists spend no more than one hour with the gorillas, with only one group of tourists visiting each gorilla group per day – will be maintained.
“The pursuit of better practice to achieve greater protection of the mountain gorilla is something that is continuous and forms a large part of our support, whether this is in regard to how tourists are managed in proximity to gorillas and within the parks, and how the funds are put to use by communities through the revenue sharing process,” said Behm Masozera.
“There is a need to put in place and enforce additional measures which will more closely align mountain gorilla tourism across the range States with the best practice approaches recommended by the IUCN; this type of harmonisation of policies for wildlife conservation and tourism development is made possible under the framework provided for by the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration,” she added.
While the future of mountain gorillas is far from secure, WWF and Fauna & Flora International are committed to continuing to work together and with the mountain gorilla range States and other actors to reinforce the best practice approaches which can make tourism a mechanism to achieve both conservation and sustainable development goals. Rwanda places a high value on its mountain gorillas
http://www.rwanda-podium.org/index.php/actualites/politique/1064-tourism-rwanda-places-a-high-value-on-its-mountain-gorillas
Posté le 17/05/2017 par rwandaises.com
