THE VIRUNGA-BWINDI TRANSBOUNDARY STRATEGIC PLAN A PATHWAY TO MOUNTAIN GORILLA CONSERVATION PROGRESS Eugène Rutagarama, Director International Gorilla Conservation Program September 19th, 2005

International Gorilla Conservation Program

Central Albertine Rift

Human & Environmental Context

Threats

IGCP: Regional Focus Coalition of 3 NGOs: AWF-FFI-WWF from 1978 as MOUNTAIN GORILLA PROJECT Working with 3 PAAs: ICCN/DRC, ORTPN/RWA, UWA/UGA Created in 1991, IGCP carried out numerous activities at country & regional level including: Regional meetings, CWCM Regional training, joint patrols, RIS Studies &Plans: regional tourism, SES, Census, Economic valuation, PCIA, Assessment of policies, joint presentations at international conferences, etc. Regional collaboration: PAAs, security &immigration services, tourism operators, etc.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process Heads of States? Wildlife Ministers 2005? EDs PAAs: ICCN,ORTPN, UWA 2001- Park level: PNVi, PNV, BMCA 1991-

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process MOU between ICCN/DRC, ORTPN/RWA, UWA/UGA in JAN 2004 aims: To ensure the coordination of the management and the development of the Parks; To consult, assist and support each other in the implementation of the transfrontier objectives: MOU focus: Central Albertine Rift To deliver a Transboundary Strategic Plan IGCP appointed as facilitator

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process Transfrontier objectives in the CAR: Cooperative conservation of biodiversity and other natural and cultural values across boundaries; Promote landscape-level ecosystems through protected area planning and management; Advocate for integrated bioregional land-use planning and management to reduce threats to protected areas; Establish common vision for transboundary collaboration; Build trust, understanding and cooperation among wildlife authorities and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable conservation and thereby contribute to peace;

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process Transfrontier objectives in the CAR: Sharing of regional resources, management skills, experience and good practice to ensure efficiency and effectiveness; Enhancing the conservation benefits and promote at a regional level awareness and sharing of benefits among stakeholders; Strengthen cooperation in research, monitoring and information management programs; Ensure that conservation of biodiversity in the region contributes to the reduction of poverty.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process Transboundary Strategic Plan Vision for 30 years: The Central Albertine Rift (CAR) Transfrontier PA Network together with the surrounding landscape conserving endemic and high biodiversity values sustainably. Goal: Strategic transboundary coordination enabling sustainable conservation and socio-economic development of the CAR Biodiversity established.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process TSP: Key Result Areas (KRAs) KRA1 - Enabling Environment KRA2 - Landscape Management KRA3 - Capacity Building KRA4 - Collaboration KRA5 - Law Enforcement KRA6 - Education and Awareness KRA7 - Economic Development

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process KRA1 - Enabling Environment Harmonized policies and laws to ensure effective management of the PAs Network by Year 4. Increased political support for biodiversity conservation obtained from the 3 governments by Year 5. Biodiversity conservation in the CAR contributing to the reduction of political instability in the region by Year 6.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process KRA2 - Landscape Management - Connectivity and integrity of core wildlife PAs in the CAR ensured by the 10th year. Integrity of PAs assured through readiness for disaster by the 10th year. KRA3 - Capacity Building Long-term sustainable financing mechanisms for the PAAs in the 3 countries established by the 8th year. The organisational management capacity of the PAAs in the 3 countries reinforced by 9th year. PA management in the 3 countries improved by end of the plan period.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process KRA4 - Collaboration Co-ordination mechanisms enhanced to ensure avoidance of conflict, duplication and wastage of resources within Year 1. Effective communication of PAA staff established across the language barriers by Year 7. KRA5 - Law Enforcement Formal transboundary collaborative law enforcement mechanisms to control illegal activities established by Year 5.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process KRA6 - Education and Awareness Positive attitudes towards biodiversity conservation and PAs in the CAR encouraged by Year 2. Acceptance of wildlife as a precious resource to be conserved by the communities by Year 4.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process KRA7 - Economic Development Wildlife based economic development promoted so as to enhance conservation benefits and contribute to the shared policy of poverty eradication by Year 6. Tourism-based economic development encouraged within acceptable limits of the natural resource base by Year 7. Required infrastructure for tourism and PA management identified and developed by year 10. Local communities participating in and benefiting from natural resources management by Year 3.

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process TSP: Lessons & Ways Forward Lessons learned: Exciting & rewarding work Neutrality, focus & patience Way forward: Political framework for conserving mountain gorilla & rich biodiversity of CAR Ownership by governments/PAAs Vigilance and focus required Funding challenge and opportunity

Virunga-Bwindi TBNRM Process ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IGCP CMs (AWF, FFI, WWF) IGCP staff Various donors including US Gov’t. (USAID, USFWS, State Dept.) PAAs (ICCN, ORTPN, UWA) IGCP partners (WCS, DFGF, ITFC, MGVP,…)

THANK YOU!