All roads led to Kinigi’s Musanze district for the Kwita Izina ceremony which saw the naming of 22 gorilla babies, the foster parents included government officials, diplomats, company representatives, conservationists and community advocates.
The ceremony also aimed to recognize the conservation efforts by local communities, which is also in line with this year’s theme “Community development for sustained conservation”.
Leading the naming team, Prime Minister Bernard Makuza christened the first gorilla Ijambo meaning action, achievement, determination and dignity that symbolize the country’s efforts towards gorilla conservation.
Other names chosen were Urahirwa (prospects and future), Indamutso (greetings), Umujyanama (advisor) and Sakaara (known). The twins (only the sixth pair to be born in the last 40 years) were baptized Isangano (meeting-place) and Isango (appointment)
Since the first Kwita Izina was held in 2005, 123 Gorilla have been given a name. It has since become an international event meant to create awareness on the importance of protecting mountain gorillas as well as the conservation of Volcanoes National Park (VNP).
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) which oversees the conservation process recorded a rise in its tourism revenue sharing schemes at the tune of Rwf 460 million in 2008. The amount was used to construct 11 schools and 3 health-centers, as well as other amenities such as water tanks.
Normally the constructions are part of the Gorilla conservation projects are not only meant to improve the livelihoods of the park’s enclosed communities but also encourage them to protect the parrk , yet prior to this year’s Kwita Izina ceremony RDB launched 52 small household based water collective tanks and 4 large public water collective tanks that were constructed at a cost of 62 million Rwandan francs; raised from the past Gorilla conservation efforts.
With the local communities being sensitized to the benefits of gorilla tourism, the gorillas are more protected than ever before. A census conducted in April 2010 showed a 26.3% increase of the mountain gorillas over the past seven years, with an average 3.7% annual growth rate. This also means that the gorillas have risen from 380 to 480.
Commenting on the same, RDB Chief Executive Officer John Gara, said these statistics are very encouraging given that it was predicted in the 60s that the gorillas would be extinct by the year 2000. He credits the steady increase in the gorilla population to the efforts of RDB, local administrators not forgetting the communities.
In this respect, Rwanda has set a good example by developing several measures that hinder those destroying forests and its inhabitants. Poachers for instance have been transformed and they now have income generating activities while some have even been trained as rangers and guides in the park. What is more fencing of all national parks is underway.
Similarly, Akagera national park for example has been training its rangers on law enforcement, security, anti poaching and wildlife management. This knowhow contributes to forest conservation.
Leave a Reply