IGCP rolls out Vanishing Treasures Project in Muramba, Nyarusiza

The International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) has extended its new ‘Vanishing treasures’ project worth Shillings 760 million to the communities surrounding the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro district.  

The Vanishing Treasures project was first launched in the Nkuringo Buffer Zone, Southern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in 2021.

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

It has been extended to the Nyarusiza and Muramba Sub Counties along Mgahinga Gorilla National Park after a successful 3 years spell in Nkuringo Town Council.

IGCP has also been running the Water for Virunga Project in the Sub Counties of Muramba and Nyarusiza.

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

“We as human beings, we are the most predators. If we were given permission to enter this park, within two weeks, Mgahunga would disappear. So, we must take the responsibility in our hands and see how we conserve this for generations,” he said.

“IGCP has been on the forefront to conserve Gorrillas, but also on the forefront to help the community to improve the livelihood. We have Water for Virunga Project, and Vanishing Treasures will continue in the same sense,” Explained Mr Makambo.

He was addressing a meeting of stakeholders at an inception meeting to kick start the project was conducted at Hotel Triangle in Nyarusiza Sub County on Friday May 31^st2024.

It was attended by partners including Kisoro District Local Government, Uganda Wildlife Authority, lower local governments, Community Based Organizations, and park edge community members.

The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Senior Warden, Bwire Isaiah, commended IGCP for championing conservation. He noted that Mgahinga National park has a lot of unknown treasures and having these projects in place helps to sustain them.

The Kisoro District LCV Chairman, Abel Bizimana expressed optimism about the project saying if all is implemented as planned, the project will go a long way in improving community livelihoods, conserving the park flora and fauna, and strengthening Park – Community relations. 

He commended IGCP and funders of the project for being thoughtful of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and being concerned enough to work to restore the vanishing treasures in the same park.

He however asked IGCP to consider spending the lion’s share of the 760 million on encouraging tree planting, especially on multipurpose trees.