Residents of Musanze District in Northern Province yesterday turned up in thousands to play ‘host and family’ to several visitors from across the world to partake in the 10th edition of gorilla-naming ceremony, Kwita Izina.

The annual event, held in Kinigi Village on the edge of the Virunga Mountains, brought together more than 40,000 residents of Musanze and nearly 500 international guests.

The tenth edition of the ceremony was a celebration of the country’s achievements in conservation.

Visitors joined residents in naming 18 baby gorillas born over the last year.

The baby gorillas received names that reflect different wishes for the good health of the country and the animals.

The names given to the baby gorillas include; Ndengera (protect me), Inzozi (dreams), Imikino (sports) and Tebuka (hurry through). 

The fangoers later staged a feast that saw merrymaking in celebration of what Rwanda has achieved in conservation of Mountain Gorillas, an endangered species.

The birth of the gorillas last year increased the total population of the primates to more than 600 in the Virunga transboundary parks, which Rwanda shares with Uganda and DR Congo.

Concerted conservation efforts

The chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, Amb. Valentine Rugwabiza, told participants at the event that the increase in Mountain Gorilla numbers is thanks to the tireless collaborative efforts of the Government of Rwanda, communities neighbouring the park and conservation partners.

"We acknowledge the role of local communities in the sustained conservation of the Volcanoes National Park, specifically the protection of the gorillas and their habitat. We believe that in the empowerment of our local communities, we also gain sustainable tourism development,” she added.

It’s partly thanks to gorilla conservation that Rwanda’s tourism sector has been growing at a remarkable pace in the last few years, with last year’s records showing that the country hosted 1,137,000 visitors who generated $294 million, up from $62 million in 2000.

The government attributes increase in tourists to Rwanda being an attractive destination with a remarkable history, new airline routes, especially in West Africa by the national carrier, RwandAir, an increase in unique experiences for tourists and the country’s stability and welcoming visa policy.

John Mirenge, the RwandAir chief executive, described the country’s conservation and tourism promotion efforts as "deeply heartfelt by Rwandans.”

"It’s done everywhere else too, but I think in Rwanda, we have put a heart to it; we do it because we believe in it,” he said after attending the Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi.

Green areas

The Dutch ambassador to Rwanda, Leoni Cuelenaere, agreed, also highlighting the ability of Rwandans to maintain plenty of green areas in a country that is densely populated.

"There is a left-over of nature even if Rwanda is over-populated. Rwanda is capable of conserving the environment; I think you have a fantastic nature,” Amb. Cuelenaere said.

Rwanda is the host and home of one-third of the world’s Mountain Gorillas, a species of unique beauty that attracts visitors from across the world.

Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi thanked residents in the park area and other stakeholders for keeping their efforts to maintain security for both people and animals.

He urged them to keep up the good efforts in order to maintain the current benefits from tourism.

As part of the government’s Shared Revenue Scheme, 5 per cent of tourism profits from the national park are sent back to the communities surrounding the gorilla habitat to help build infrastructure like schools, roads, and water supply.

"The government will continue to provide and create a conducive environment for business and investments in the tourism sector,” Habumuremyi said in a speech at the Kwita Izina ceremony.

This year, the event was held under the theme summarised in a slogan—A Decade: Conserving-Empowering-Growing—to celebrate the country’s achievements in conservation and tourism development.