![\"New-GVL-location-Map\"](\"https:\/\/greatervirunga.org\/gv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/New-GVL-location-Map.png\")
<\/p>\nThis great forum has brought together Stakeholders involved in wildlife conservation and Tourism Development as well as development partners within the Greater Virunga Landscape.<\/p>\n
The Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) comprises a total of 8 protected areas including 7 national parks and 1 wildlife reserve, namely: Volcanoes NP in Rwanda; Virunga NP & Sarambwe Wildlife Reserve in DRC and Mgahinga Gorilla NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP, Rwenzori Mountain NP, and Semliki NP in Uganda.<\/p>\n
The stakeholders gathered in Rubavu for the GVTC are from various backgrounds, including Representatives of the Embassies of Uganda and DRC in Rwanda, International organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature, local Governments, customs, migration, Conservation NGOs, Tour operators, Researchers, Journalists, Civil society organizations<\/p>\n
For this GVTC Regional Transboundary Forum, GVTC Executive Secretary Dr. Andrew Ggunga Seguya, Mr. Telesphore Ngoga, Conservation Analyst at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Mr. Ildephonse Kambogo who opened officially the Forum emphasized its importance as it is the only wide framework for exchange and discussions between the stakeholders involved in the wildlife conservation and Tourism Development in the GVL.<\/p>\n
It is important to point out that Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) is a collaborative framework of programs, plans and activities to conserve a network of Protected Areas disseminated along the shared borders of Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, and together forming a unique ecological unit known as the Greater Virunga Landscape.<\/p>\n
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The Greater Virunga Landscape\u2019s importance for biodiversity conservation is globally recognized, as it includes habitats for rare and endangered wildlife species, such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, African Elephants, Lions, hippopotamus etc. Also, some of the Protected areas in the GVL are globally recognized through special conservation status like World Heritage Sites (the Virunga NP, Rwenzori Mountains, and Bwindi NP), Man & Biosphere Reserves (MAB, namely the Queen Elizabeth NP and Volcanoes NP), as well as RAMSAR sites (Lakes Georges and Edouard).<\/p>\n
It is against this background that this Reginal Transboundary forum which is enshrined in the GVTC Treaty can take place.<\/p>\n
Various achievements were registered at the government level, regional, site and at the community level. Various interventions were implemented including implementation of livelihood projects for the benefit of the communities around the protected areas, several studies were conducted for ease of informed decision-making, transboundary collaboration strengthened through collaborative planning and dialogue meetings in which various issues have found solutions\u2026,<\/p>\n
GVTC Executive Secretariat has been running since 2008 thanks to the funds from the Government of the Netherlands, The Governments of Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda are contributing to the running cost of GVTC paying annually their annual financial contribution, while the Government of the Netherlands is phasing out to stay supporting the programs only.<\/p>\n
This consultative forum is not only a statutory organ but also a framework through which various Stakeholders meet and discuss issues affecting wildlife conservation and Tourism development. The recommendations from this Forum are taken to the Regional Technical Committees which at their turn report to the GVTC Board and the Board to the Council of Ministers for decision.<\/p>\n
It was highlighted by participants that this region, Climate change is real and is at our doors, it is not an individual or national issue, rather, it is a global issue. Fast-growing invasive species were registered in the GVL Protected areas. This has a negative impact on the food of animals and consequently, habitats are endangered. Tangible actions are required to mitigate the impact of climate change. \u201cNo one is safe until everyone is safe\u201d, it was noted.<\/p>\n
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Deforestation and other illicit activities are still registered in the Protected areas. Trafficking of wildlife resources is still there. They have called upon the collaboration of everyone, to tackle this evil to avoid dramatic socio-economic consequences.<\/p>\n
It was noted that community livelihood is seriously affected by the COVID19 pandemic which implies the needs eradicate the dependence of communities on natural resources in the protected areas.<\/p>\n
Tourism development which is at crossroads, need to be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n
Human-wildlife conflicts remain one of the issues which need everlasting solutions. There is a need of sharing experiences and draw lessons for sustainable conservation and ownership.<\/p>\n
Benefit sharing is one of the components which need to be well analysed.<\/p>\n
Leave no one behind, should be the motto on this battle of conserving wildlife in the Greater Virunga Landscape, participants concluded.<\/p>\n
No single organization can afford to deal with all the challenges ahead and for that, the collaboration remains paramount.<\/p>\n
GVTC Executive Secretariat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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