By Alex Gahima
A section of Park Edge Communities in South Western Uganda have reinvented themselves, by embracing new sustainable ways of living alongside the endangered Mountain Gorillas of the Virunga Massif.
The high Montane ranges shared by the three Countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo face an imminent threat as the Conservation efforts are being hampered by Political instability (DRC) as well as the rising temperatures in the atmosphere caused by Climate Change.
A not so obvious challenge seeks to undermine the conservation efforts of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.
The element of a Negative mindset among the households adjacent to the protected areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has left many families, thinking their existence and contribution to life around the National Park does not come close to the revenue collections generated from wildlife tourism.
All about the Money
The number of the Mountain Gorillas in the Virunga Massif has continued to rise steadily with a recent Gorilla survey of 2018 placing them at 1,063.
Uganda and Rwanda have learnt to embrace the upward trajectory of Mountain Gorilla tourism.
For instance, Uganda earns 70% of the total revenue collection in tourism from Gorilla permits and the Gorilla Habituation experience that takes place exclusively within the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA).
In Rwanda, Gorilla tourism activities like ‘’Kwita Izina’’ (Gorilla naming ceremony) managed to generate millions of dollars for the Country.
The Stats; do not lie. Individuals and Organizations directly or indirectly involved in the Gorilla tourism business have had serious opportunities make ‘bank’, a quick internet search will surely confirm this.
With some communities near the National Parks still unwilling to adjust from a handout mindset and embrace best practices, by the people and for the people, a few households have decided to inspire others to change their mindset for their own survival and sustainability.
In Nkuringo town Council, Kisoro District, a growing village high up in the hills, away from the preying eyes and rustling sounds of the wild animals from the National Park, 400 people face a real problem of access to clean and safe water.
Enock Rwerekana, a leader in the community confesses that animal attacks especially on their wives and children from baboons and wild pigs are almost unavoidable especially during the dry season when they have to go and fetch water from the only source of water, found at the edge of the national Park.
Under the Vanishing Treasures program, a water harvesting tank along with a community shade were constructed to enable to community members stay out of the National Park.
“At only 100 Ugandan Shillings only, a community member can now walk away with a 20 liter jerrican that previously cost 2000 Ugandan shillings.
He or she is entitled up to four Jerrycans a day as a way of ensuring the water is used sustainably”, Rwerekana explained
Since the construction of the 30,000 liter water tank, human wildlife conflict has significantly reduced in the village and communities are able to have water to meet their basic needs.
As a way of utilizing the already depleting resources, communities in the area have also been trained to construct their own water harvesting tanks at home and introduce back yard gardens to ensure they have vegetable and fruit to supplement their diet.
Elsewhere, a family of seven is benefitting from constructing energy saving cooking stoves for sale.
35 year old Peninah Mushabe who is married to Enock, a peasant farmer has been blessed with five wonderful children.
Mushabe, who gained her eco-stove training under the Vanishing treasures program says that, her family managed to migrate a little further from the National Park where they constructed a three bed-roomed house that has not yet been fully completed.
“We ownfarm land close to the national park. We just couldn’t expose out children to the dangers of an animal attack any longer so we had to move. My husband spends most of his time watching over the garden; by day for the baboons and by night for the wild pigs that love sweet potatoes”, Mushabe explained.
As Mushabe narrates her life choices, she is saddened by a recent animal attack on one of the children in the community who thigh was literally ripped out by a baboon that found the young boy guarding the family garden.
Her deepest desire is for all her children to complete their education and find meaningful employment like becoming doctors for the boys and teachers for the girls.
“They will not suffer like their father who continues to watch over the family gardens so that they can get what to eat and have a normal life like going to school, Musabe said
The Vanishing Treasures project is one that has inspired communities around Nkuringo to determine their own future, in the wake of serious climate change effects.
Uganda Wildlife Authority Warden in- Charge of the Southern Sector Dickson Katana says that, a team of trackers observed that Gorillas had changed their behavioral pattern.
“Gorillas had never before needed to go to fresh water points in the forest to drink water because bamboo shoots managed to meet that need, however it seems these animals are learning to adapt by using their hands to fetch water from the streams”, Katana explained
Why should this be a Concern?
Genetic studies have shown that Mountain Gorillas and Human beings share close DNA of nearly up to 98%.
With more communities adjacent the park seeking to use the same water sources for drinking as well as other domestic purposes, the chances of introducing diseases to the endangered species is very likely.
The first known recorded discovery of the Mountain Gorilla Subspecies was back in 1902 by German Captain Robert Von Beringe, who supposedly shot and killed a’big black Monkey’which was trying to climb the crest of Sabinyo Volcano.
Captain Beringe, in his report of the expedition to his superiors back in Berlin, narrates of his attempt to scale the’row of Mountains’ (Virunga Massif)starting with Mount Sabyinyo as part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen German influence and power in the region.
The legacy of Beringe, whether good or infamy will continue to reverberate in the world of primatology and Conservation.
The change of mindset among Park Edge communities will definitely go a long way in ensuring the conservation efforts towards the Mountain Gorillas pays off for the future generations to come.