Eighty pupils drawn from primary schools within the Mount Virunga
area, over the weekend, undertook a ‘nature walk’ to explore the
national heritage at the Volcanoes National Park.
The field tour for the primary five pupils, organised by Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
International/Karisoke
Research Centre, aimed at encouraging the young generation to
appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the park for future
conservation.
The pupils were drawn from Rushubi, Bisate,
Kabwende and Nyabitsinde primary schools in Kinigi Sector. Among
others, they toured the Bisoke volcano, and traversed the Virunga rain
forest.
According to Joseph Karama, the Fossey Fund’s
Conservation Education Manager, the youth need to take pride in their
national resources, and their role in conservation efforts.
“Exposing
the children at such a young age to their country’s natural resources
is pivotal in establishing their connection with nature and ensuring
their involvement in future conservation efforts,’’ Karama said.
Prosper
Uwingeri, the park’s warden, observed that sustainable conservation and
protection of the endangered mountain gorillas required participation
of the communities surrounding the park.
“An enlightened
generation will not only depend less on park resources such as wild
meat, but also help fight illegal harvesting of park resources,”
Uwingeri observed.
According to the park rules, children under
the age of 15 are not allowed to track mountain gorillas, but explore
the forest, through the nature walk.
Denise Uwimana, a teacher,
noted that this mode of education is critical in changing the local
community’s mindset about the surrounding forests.
“If children
continue coming to the forest for the next ten years, not only will
everyone around the park have a clear understanding and willingness to
help protect it, but also some of the existing problems, such as laying
of snares, will stop,” Uwimana said.
New Times
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