Kwita izina expo

About 12 local and international organisations on Tuesday started a two-day exhibition to showcase different projects that promote green economy.The exhibition is organised as part of this year’s gorilla naming ceremony (Kwita Izina) which is slated for June 16 at Kinigi, Musanze District under the theme “Sustainable tourism for a green economy.”Kwita Izina this year’s will see 19 baby gorillas named for the 8th time since the annual event started in 2005.About 141 gorilla babies have been named since 2005.On display are various green economy technologies, energy efficient systems that are friendly to the environment, gorilla conservation mechanisms among others.Isidore Nzeyimana, an exhibitor from Tekutangije Ltd, a clean energy cooking stove making company, said that his company was motivated by his zeal to conserve forests through reducing on the use of firewood.“I came up with this initiative in order to save 50 percent of the fuel wood lost in cooking. With our stoves, it is possible to cook, roast food and boil water at the same time, using one source of energy. It uses wood without polluting the environment,” he explained to The New Times.Nzeyimana stated that his stoves are currently used in some schools and religious communities.Another exhibitor, Ji Guo, from Tianjin Solar Technology Company had on display light solar powered lanterns that are economical and environmentally friendly.“My lighting devices are lightweight, highly water resistant and perfect for outdoor activities such as camping, boating and hiking,” he said. He added: “People can simply connect the solar panel to the lantern and place it directly under the sun for charging,” he said.Guo stated that his lantern devices were introduced as means to do away with lighting kerosene oil light emitting devices.“The exhibition provides a platform for the public understand how they can fully participate in the conservation of the environment and promotion of green economy,” said Rica Rwigamba, the head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB. Rwigamba pointed out gorillas continue to contribute 90 per cent of the revenues generated from the national parks.She noted last year, gorillas only generated $9.6 million which was part of the $252 million revenues generated from the tourism industry.However effective this month, the gorilla permits were increased by 50 per cent to all categories, international, regional and Rwandans. “The increase of gorilla permit fees was driven by high demand from the tourists who come to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park,” said Rwigamba.The additional income will be used to further strengthen protective measures for the gorillas, finance conservation efforts, research and community outreach programmes.Exhibitors included companies from China, DR Congo with Rwandan companies being the bulk.