IGCP Expands Ugx760 Million “Vanishing Treasures” Project to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Communities

Summary:

• Funded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the project aims to enhance the climate resilience of mountain communities, species, and ecosystems by applying climate-smart conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches to support sustainable livelihoods and land use globally.

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KISORO: The International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) has extended its new “Vanishing Treasures” project, worth 760 million shillings, to the communities surrounding Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro district.

The Vanishing Treasures project was initially launched in the Nkuringo buffer zone of the Southern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in 2021.

Funded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the project aims to enhance the climate resilience of mountain communities, species, and ecosystems by applying climate-smart conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches to support sustainable livelihoods and land use globally.

Following a successful three-year period in Nkuringo town council, the project has now been extended to the Nyarusiza and Muramba sub-counties along Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is the second major project under IGCP within these sub-counties, following the Water for Virunga project.

According to IGCP Director Wellard Makambo, the project is designed to address human-wildlife conflict, promote alternative livelihoods, and mitigate the impacts caused by climate change and socio-economic pressures.

CUE IN MAKAMBO…….ON THE PROJECT…….ENG//

The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Senior Warden, Bwire Isaiah, commended IGCP for its conservation efforts. He noted that Mgahinga National Park has many unknown treasures, and projects like this help sustain them.

CUE IN BWIRE…..ON IGCP…….ENG//

Kisoro District LCV Chairman, Abel Bizimana believes that if implemented as planned, the project will significantly improve community livelihoods, conserve the park and its wildlife, and strengthen park-community relations. He praised IGCP and the project’s funders for their commitment to restoring the vanishing treasures of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, he also urged IGCP to allocate a significant portion of the 760 million shillings to encourage the planting of multipurpose trees.

CUE IN BIZIMANA……….. ON TREES………..RR//