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

2. International Gorilla Conservation Program

3. Central Albertine Rift

4. Human & Environmental Context

5. Threats

6. IGCP: Regional Focus
Coalition of 3 NGOs: AWF-FFI-WWF from 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.

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

8. 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

9. 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;

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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,…)

20. THANK YOU!