Gorilla habitat restoration in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is home to one of two remaining populations of the endangered mountain gorillas. The 160-square kilometre transboundary park supports one of only two remaining endangered mountain gorilla populations. The park is isolated and small and can’t sufficiently support the habitats of the gorillas and other wildlife. With few economic opportunities to support local incomes, communities living around the park have expanded agricultural land to improve household food security. This and other human activity has also dramatically increased deforestation over three decades.

• Using high-end tourism as a lever, Wilderness Bisate has created jobs for local people living around the park, providing a more sustainable livelihood and reducing dependence on subsistence farming.
• SACOLA Community Trust owns Wilderness Sabyinyo, which earns the trust revenue through rental income and profit-shares. SACOLA uses these funds to drive socio-economic development in the Kinigi and Inyange sectors adjacent to Volcanoes National Park.
• The Trust has also created additional services and construction roles, providing basic services for the lodge to generate additional revenue.
• Over 88 000 indigenous trees have been planted adjacent to the national park, expanding habitats and attracting wild species into these new areas. The reforestation project plants trees and manages habitat rehabilitation around the park.
• A health centre has been built and medical insurance premiums have been paid for many of the community members.
• Micro-finance and micro-enterprise projects have been initiated and funded to support dairy, pigs, poultry, bee-keeping, carpentry and fruit-growing businesses.

High-end tourism is a lever for creating sustainable economic opportunities that empower local communities and support the partnerships required to protect critically endangered gorilla populations.