{{Only two days remaining for the long awaited gorilla naming ceremony (Kwitza Izina) at Kinigi’s Musanze district, campaign to sensitize the public on forest conservation goes on, the aim is to curb deforestation which also affects wildlife.}}

In this respect, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) organized a conference on forest conservation involving stakeholders with an aim to find solutions that address the threats and reduction of forests. Moreover it was realized that communities neighboring the national parks have a big role to play in terms of conservation.

Talking on the same, Rica Rwigamba the RDB head of tourism and conservation noted that, “this year we seek to accrue the merits of conservation to the communities around of our national parks.”

Indeed the conference is inline with this year’s international focus towards forest conservation which aims to enhance sustainable management and conservation of all types of forests.

So far Rwanda has set a good example by developing several measures that hinder those destroying forests and its inhabitants. Poachers for instance have been transformed and they now have income generating activities while some have even been trained as rangers and guides in the park. What is more fencing of all national parks is underway.

It is due this efforts that led to the increase of gorillas from 380 to 480 in the past seven years. The increase is attributed to better forest environment.

In addition, Akagera national park for example has been training its rangers on law enforcement, security , anti poaching and wildlife management. This knowhow contributes to forest conservation.

In regard to curb poaching, participants called for joint effort especially in the region. Currently Rwanda is jointly working with its two neighbors Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to particularly protect gorillas.

Each gorilla naming ceremony has always had a theme that focuses on the promotion of conservation and of course this years Kwita Izina ceremony has not been left out and it goes by the theme {community development for sustained conservation
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