Akagera Park nearby residents were advised to preserve this park which will improve on tourism hence contribute to their development.

This was said by Telesphore Ngoga from Rwanda Development Board [RDB] in charge of connecting such parks and their close residents in the country, who added on saying that as the parks are preserved this will bring in more tourist which will increase on tourism production hence increase on the contribution given to the close residents.

“As many people visit the park, then market for tourism is also increased which makes it possible for the residents to sell any products they have to the tourists especially people with art and crafts hence be able to develop”, added on Ngoga.

“However though there is a programme of sharing the productivity got from tourism with the park’s neighbors, it was noted that many of such people still go hunting for the animals in the park which is a very big hindrance to developed tourism”, explained Ngoga.

He called on any one who finds such people to always give such information out and on time so that they can be dealt with

However, some of the residents said that they now know the benefits of preserving the parks.

Firipo Muhawenimana a resident of Mwili sector, Kayonza district said that with the help people are giving out to the different security organizations in getting park rangers this is a very every good sign that most of them know well the benefits of preserving the park.

“About 19 park rangers have so far been caught since January 2013 in Mwili sector”, explained on Muhawenimana.

Urutare rwa kamegeri rufite amateka akomeye mu gihugu

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Ruhango buravuga ko bufite ahantu henshi hagiye hagira amateka, bukaba burimo kuvugana n’inzego zitandukanye kugirango aho hantu hatezwe imbere.

Akarere ka Ruhango gafite ahantu hasaga umunani hagiye hagira amateka akomeye, ahi ni nk’urutare rwa Kamegeri rwamenyekanye cyane, kwa Mirenga ku Ntenyo, ikirenge cya Ruganzu kiri mu murenge wa Kabagari, mu kagari ka Gisari ahitwa kwa mwungeri wa Nyankaka, amasenga y’impyisi n’ahandi.

Mutunzi Antoine ashinzwe amakoperative mu karere ka Ruhango, avuga ko ubu barimo kuvugana n’ikigo cy’igihugu gishinzwe iterambere RDB, kugirango hashakishwe uko aha hantu hatezwa imbere kugirango abakerarugendo bajye bahasura mbere y’uko bajya ahandi.

Yagize ati “ urabona, aha turi mu nzira abakerarugendo banyuramo bajya gusura ahantu nyaburanga muri Nyungwe, niyo mpamvu dushaka ko mbere y’uko bagera hariya, bajya babanza bagusura ahantu nk’aha akarere kakagira icyo kinjiza.

Mutunzi avuga ko imishyikirano hagati y’akarere na RDB igeze kure bakaba bitegura kureba uburyo aha hantu hatezwa imbere. Akavuga ko bizera neza ko ibi bikorwa nibiramuka birangiye, bizagirira akamoro Leta ndetse n’abaturage batuye hafi yaho.

A Research firm-Euromonitor International has identified some African countries that are likely to see strong growth in tourism, and could possibly be lucrative destinations for investors in the tourism industry.

These countries are Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. According to Euromonitor, Rwanda is emerging as a well-known destination on the world tourism map recording a 3% increase of inbound tourists in 2011 to reach 723,000.

In 2011, the majority of tourist arrivals came from other African countries. Arrivals from the African continent were led by the Democratic Republic of Congo(16.5%), followed by Uganda (13.5%) and Tanzania (7.4%). Rwanda’s core overseas markets include the US (3.6%), Belgium (2%) and the UK (1.5%).

According to Euromonitor, Rwanda is also ready to implement the East African Community single tourist visa, which will allow tourists to travel freely across the region.

Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner with $251 million earned in 2011. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has revealed that for the first semester of 2012, Tourism revenues have increased by 11% compared to the same period last year in 2011. The tourism sector is estimated to have generated US $128.3m compared to US$115.6m generated in the same period last year.

One of the country’s most popular attractions is its mountain gorillas – which has attracted many tourists in the country and RDB has promoted the activity through the annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony (commonly known as Kwita Izina).

Rwanda is, however, trying to diversify its tourism offering, for example through the 150 metre high canopy walkway, the Congo Nile Trail and bird watching routes.

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The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has revealed that for the first semester of 2012, Tourism revenues have increased by 11% compared to the same period last year in 2011. The tourism sector is estimated to have generated US $128.3m compared to US$115.6m generated in the same period last year.

In addition, RDB wishes to inform and reassure tourists and the business community that it is safe to travel to the Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda despite the on-going conflict in the neighbouring country of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said that Rwanda’s tourism progress is attributed to peace and security: “Visitor safety is guaranteed as usual. We would like to reassure visitors to Rwanda that it is business as usual here and that it is extremely safe and secure to travel to and within the country. In addition to the all-in-one experience in Rwanda from diverse wildlife in the national parks, to the magnificent scenery, amazing climate and the rare mountain gorillas; peace and security continues to be a magnetic pool for visitors in Rwanda.”

Rwanda also hosted an estimate of 493,744 visitors in the first semester 2012 corresponding to an increase of 22% compared to 2011 in the same period and recorded a remarkable 16% increase in leisure visitors as well as an 8% increase in business visitors.

In terms of investment promotion, in the first semester only (January to June), the Tourism sector has so far registered projects worth US$ 184.1m. These projects are expected to create 1,328 jobs.

Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said that “There was a noticeable increase in revenues, visits and value of registered tourism investments as well as projected jobs created in the first semester. We believe that if we continue to achieve as reflected by the results in the first semester, we will indeed surpass our targets and more importantly, this will drive growth and generate wealth for Rwandans.”

Rwanda’s  tourism and conservation efforts  are also reflected in the commitment to the contribution towards the communities’ welfare under the revenue sharing framework, RDB recently increased the price of gorilla permits to 750$ which will consequently also increase the contribution to the communities as well as the activities in conservation. Indeed, Rwanda places conservation and community development at the core of the sustainable tourism agenda.

In addition to the current room capacity of more than 6500 today, the government is encouraging more investment in accommodation facilities, hotels and restaurants in order to match the ever increasing visitors’ number.

Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner with $251 million earned in 2011.

The governor of the Northern Province of Rwanda Aime Bosenibamwe said that for this province to have come the first in reducing the poverty level of its residents in Rwanda is because of many actions that include tourism that is done in volcanic park.

This he said in the “Kwita Izina” (gorilla naming) ceremony that was held in Musanze district on the 16^th.June.2012 where he announced that the Northern Province is the first in provinces in Rwanda and Musanze district where this park is located was the 3^rd in all district in the fight against poverty.

This is due to the fact that people who used to go poaching in this game park are now in SACOLA cooperative (Sabyinyo Community Livelihoods Association) and they take care and protect this park as Bosenibamwe said.

He went on to say that SACOLA cooperative members now know the importance of this park as it now earns them the money that they use to promote themselves. They have already built a trading house and this cooperative aids other people who are not its members.

He asked people who live nearby this park to keep protecting it because it is of much importance. This was also said by John Gara the director of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) where he said that tourism has developed in Rwanda and depending on how people are taking care of their ne4ighbouring parks.

In 2011, more than 900 tourists came to Rwanda and tourism brought about $252Millions. People living near the park are given 5percentof the money the government receives from that park as John Gara explained.

The hot springs found at Nyamyumba

Innocent Harelimana an environment official in Rubavu district has said that if preserved well, hot springs found in Lake Kivu can be another tourist attraction.

According to Harelimana, the reason as to why no one goes to see these hot springs, little has been done to advertise and moderrnise where the hot springs are located

He says that apart from the springs being a tourist wonder, the water has been scientifically proven to heal muscle disorders and numerous other diseases.

According to a resident neighbouring one of the numerous hot springs found in Nyamyumba Sector, the place is a common sight of many people some and some are seen washing in the water which is believed to be relieving.

Harerimana says that if good care is taken for the springs, they are capable of earning money to the country. He adds that they have contacted the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB), but they have not yet got any reply though field studies have been conducted.

Traces of King Yuhi Musinga’s palace are evidently visible with an elegant tree (umuvumu), which back in the days, represented the king’s residence, still standing as seen in the above picture.

This once majestic palace is located behind the Kamembe Airstrip in Rusizi district. King Ndahindurwa Kigeri V (currently living in USA) was also born from this same palace.

Just like other historical sites of Rwanda, this palace too was distributed to landless Rwandans who still occupied it today. The construction of village estates have encroached the palace land, however leaving the historical big tree standing- which has now raised concerns to the government to preserve the site.

Rusizi District Mayor, Oscar Nzeyimana says that the district is aware of this historical piece of land, and that there are other historical places in Rusizi which the government intends to preserve.

Director of Rwanda National Museum, Alphonse Umulisa says that the “King’s palace should be over which a former Rwandan king lived should be preserved because it is a significant historical place”

He also revealed plans of holding talks with Rusizi district officials to the effect.

It is believed that there are various historical sites in Rwanda which for a long time have not been given attention however the Rwanda National Museum is taking steps to discover them all.

Tourists in Rwanda proceed to enjoy privileges of good policy as more towers for observing birds and even be able to make photographs from a distant view have been built by Protected Areas Biodiversity (PAB) in Nyamasheke district and handled temporarily to Rwanda Environment Management Authority(REMA); and later  to Rwanda Development Board (RDB) at the end of January 2012.

A watch tower in Nyamasheke district

These watch towers will be used by people in cooperatives who are trained to use and protect them and will be directing tourists who want to watch birds from a distant, which is a way of developing tourism in different wetlands.

Jean de Dieu Mukeshimana, a worker in RDB said, “such watch towers were built in a way of promoting tourism outside the National parks which will help in promoting local people as they have also been trained to take good care of them.”

Raphael Mpayana who works in PAB a project in REMA explained that one watch tower was worth 8M Rwandan francs and 3 watch towers have been built in this district; One on the road in Nyungwe National park and the other 2 in the wetland of Kamiranzovu. Other 4 watch towers were built in Rugezi wetland which will be used for watching birds by tourists and anybody else interested for that matter.

Ahahoze hatuye umwami w’u RwandaYuhi Musinga munsi y’icyibuga cy’indege cya Kamembe mu karere ka Rusizi na n’ubu haracyari igiti kinini cy’umuvumu cyarangaga urugo rwe. Muri ayo matongo hagabanywe kimwe n’ahandi hantu hasanzwe muri gahunda yo kubaka imidugudu. Aho yari atuye ubu hubatswe bisanzwe n’abantu bahakatiwe munsi y’icyo kivumu harahingwa nta cyerekana ko hazirikanwa nk’ahabitse amateka y’igihugu.

Aho hantu havukiye umwami Kigeri V Ndahindurwa ukiriho, ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Rusizi buvuga ko buhazi ndetse ko hari n’ahandi habitse amateka y’u Rwanda muri ako karere hatitabwaho nk’ahantu nyaburanga.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rusizi Oscar Nzeyimana avuga ko ahantu habitse amateka hari muri ako karere bateganya kuhitaho. Nzeyimana agira ati: “Aho umwami yari atuye kimwe n’ahandi hantu habitse amateka y’u Rwanda hari mu karere ka Rusizi dufite gahunda yo kuhitaho hakaba ahantu nyaburanga.

Hariya hantu hahoze hatuye umwami Yuhi Musinga hashize igihe kinini harabayeho ikosa ryo kuhatuza abantu muri gahunda y’imidugudu.”

Ku bw’ikigo cy’igihugu cy’ingoro ndangamurage ,hariya hantu hahoze hatuwe umwami Yuhi Musinga hagomba gufatwa nk’ahantu habitse amateka y’u Rwanda.Umuliisa Alphonse ,umuyobozi w’icyo kigo avuga ko agiye vuba aha gukora urugendo akirebera ubwe aho hantu akanaganira iby’aho n’umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rusizi kugira ngo hafatwe nk’ahantu habitse amateka y’u Rwanda.

Umuliisa agira ati: “Njyewe ubwanjye nafashe gahunda yo kwiyizira mu karere ka Rusizi kuganira n’ubuyobozi bw’aho ku kibazo cy’ahantu nyaburanga habitse amateka y’u Rwanda bigaragara ko hadahabwa agaciro gakwiye tuganire turebe icyakorwa kugira ngo hagire agaciro hakwiye.”

Hari ahantu henshi abakurikiranira hafi iby’amateka y’u Rwanda bemeza ko habitse amateka y’u Rwanda ariko hakaba hatitabwaho nk’uko bikwiye.

Kuri uyu wa kabiri tariki 31 mutarama, Rwiyemezamirimo wubakaga iminara ba mukerarugendo bahagararamo bareba inyoni (watch tower) mu karere ka Nyamasheke, yayishyikirije by’agateganyo ikigo k’igihugu gishinzwe kurengera ibidukikije (REMA) nacyo gihita kidushyira mu maboko y’ikigo cy’igihugu cy’iterambere (RDB).

Iyi minara yubakwaga n’umushinga ugamije kurengera urusobe rw’ibinyabuzima (PAB) ukorera muri REMA, ariko ikaba izakoreshwa n’ abaturage baba mu makoperative bahuguriwe kubyitaho ndetse no kuyobora ba mukerarugendo bazaba baje gusura izo nyoni. Ibi kandi ngo bigamije guteza imbere ubukerarugendo bw’inyoni mu bishanga (wetlands) bitandukanye.

Mukeshimana Jean de Dieu ukora mu kigo k’igihugu cy’iterambere yavuze ko kubaka iyi minara bigamije gukorera n’ubukerarugendo hanze ya pariki bityo bukaguka kandi n’abaturage bakabonamo inyungu zihuse.

Yongeyeho ko ubuyobozi bw’inzego z’ibanze bugomba gufatanya na RDB mu kubicunga kuko aribwo bureberera abaturage nk’uko n’ahandi hubatswe iminara abakerarugendo bareberamo inyoni bigenda.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’akarere ka Nyamasheke, Ndagijimana Jean Pierre, yabajije uko imicungire y’iyi minara izakorwa maze bamubwira ko nyuma yo kuyakira akarere ndetse na RDB bazicara bakiga uko bizakorwa bafatanyije.

Nk’uko Mpayana Raphael, ukora mu mushinga ugamije kurengera urusobe rw’ibinyabuzima (PAB) ukorera mu muri REMA yabivuze, umunara umwe watwaye akayabo ka miliyoni 8 z’amafaranga y’u Rwanda, mu karere ka Nyamasheke hakaba harubatswe iminara itatu (1 ku muhanda muri nyungwe indi 2 mu gishanga cya Kamiranzovu). Iminara nk’iyi 4 kandi yubatswe igamije gukoreshwa naba mukerarugendo bazajya basura inyoni mu gishanga cya Rugezi.

Emmanuel NSHIMIYIMANA

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