Virunga Community Programs Linking Tourism, conservation and community development That tourism, conservation and community development are inextricably linked cannot be gainsaid. There are a number of tourism and conservation players around the Virunga mountains that understand the critical significance of integrated approach to development. It’s plain and has been proved, that without addressing the chronic needs of local people, then conservation efforts become extremely ineffective while on the other hand, people also lose critical natural resources and ultimately suffer negative consequences as a result of interfering with Mother Nature.
The Virunga Community Programs is an integrated model that’s motivating international and local conservationists, tourism players and the community to seek better ways of addressing this symbiotic relationship. You may as well say this model, through the programs they have initiated, is a way to inspire individuals to support change which benefits local communities, while protecting iconic but endangered species like the Mountain Gorillas.
In the Virungas, there are a number of small but dedicated individuals who are out to make a difference protecting the planet and empowering people. Their outstanding examples of innovative conservation efforts might inspire a new generation of environmentalists to mull over how to achieve their objectives with community development in mind.
Virunga Community Programs believe that interventions which improve livelihoods, health, and environment are critical since the quality of life of people depends on education, a good supply of water, good health, family planning, and tools to improve one’s own situation.
Virunga Community Programs understands that providing a safe sanctuary to endangered species of the Virunga National Parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC ) in particular and the Virunga massif straddling Rwanda, Uganda and DRC in general only addresses part of the problem. The organization conducts development work for local communities living around the protected areas alongside the Mountain Gorilla populations, and plays a critical role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict through educating people the ways they may peacefully coexist with, and even benefit from the animals.
There are many factors that lead to human-animal conflict. Among them is endemic poverty suffered by people around the parks. They see no value in protecting wildlife while they can monetarily benefit from them through rampant poaching.
However, through its programs, Virunga Community Programs seeks to empower the locals to be financially sustainable, while at the same time they help in conservation efforts. Such programs include facilitating education for the youth, donation of scholastic materials to school-going children, availing of small animals to vulnerable families, teaching locals on modern agroecology among a host of others.
Rangers and tour guides have continued to suffer at the hands of poachers and other shadowy elements. In the DRC, the ceaseless conflicts happening in the Eastern part of the country continues to wreak havoc on human life, leading to debilitating poverty. When a person is faced with poverty, engaging in destructive activities like poaching becomes an innate survival tactic. Children too are not going to school because of the disruption of normal learning. That’s why Virunga Community Programs saw to it that it initiates different programs to mitigate these issues affecting the tourism-rich Eastern part of DRC.
We believe that with your support, we are all going to succeed
www.virungaprograms.com
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