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Influencing policy IGCP works with the many different stakeholders who are able to influence the survival of the mountain gorillas and their habitat. These include local farmers, park and military authorities, local and regional governments and environmental experts, all of whose activities have an effect on the environment and the natural resources in that landscape. IGCP regularly meets with representatives from such groups to explain how the national park forests are vital to the people of region, not only in terms of generating tourist dollars, but also in maintaining biodiversity, helping to prevent erosion and ensuring dependable water supplies. Development, humanitarian and relief agencies also affect natural resources, people and the forests. In order to promote better integration of conservation, relief and development activities, IGCP is highlighting the mutual benefits of increased collaboration. In October 2001, the park authorities from the three countries, including both sides of the political divide between western and eastern DRC, met and signed a declaration expressing their intention to create a full transfrontier protected area, the Virunga-Bwindi Transfrontier Park. IGCP was formally designated as facilitator for this process (see Regional collaboration). Thanks to the concerted efforts of IGCP at field and political levels, together with other conservation partners on the ground, people are increasingly recognizing the importance of conserving gorillas and their forest habitat. Political persuasiveness Rwanda, the most densely populated country in Africa (see Range states), is still coping with tens of thousands of 'Internally Displaced' citizens after the war. In early 2000, the government was drawing up plans to resettle up to 500 families inside the Volcano National Park, in an area with critical food sources for mountain gorillas. IGCP and other conservation organizations met with the government and explained how this action would affect biodiversity, water supply and tourism, emphasizing both the economic and ecological value of the forest. Armed with this knowledge, the government reconsidered its decision. It has since strengthened its resolve to protect the forest and its wildlife, making it clear that it will not jeopardize the survival of the gorillas. Military manoeuvres Military commanders operating in the region have worked closely with IGCP and the parks to help ensure the protection and conservation of mountain gorillas. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Mwaro corridor connecting the two sub-sectors of the Virunga National Park was being deforested for security reasons. A road bisecting this narrow corridor was due to be widened by 20 metres to prevent ambushes by armed militias. Such action would have inhibited the movement of elephants and buffalo, causing them to leave the park elsewhere and damage farmers' crops. IGCP worked with the military and government authorities to halt the deforestation and the cleared area has since been replanted and allowed to regenerate, leading to a reduction in crop raiding. In 2000, the Rwandan military planned to construct a road crossing into the DRC through both the Volcano National Park and the Virunga National Park, in order to reach militia groups who were launching raids from across the border. IGCP and other conservation organizations lobbied the government, pointing out that the road would allow poachers and illegal loggers to penetrate deep into the forest in search of bushmeat and timber. Consequently, the road project was halted and the government and military revised their plans. Refugees and resources In 1994, 750,000 people fled Rwanda after the genocide, heading to the DRC. Thousands travelled through the Virungas. Many stayed in the parks for weeks, poaching and felling trees for food, shelter and fuel. The refugee camps remained in the DRC for two and a half years, on the very edge of the Virunga National Park. These were the largest refugee camps the world has ever seen. Although UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and other humanitarian agencies provided food and firewood, this enormous population supplemented its rations with resources poached from the park. The refugee crisis led to more than 75 km2 of park being completely deforested and innumerable animals, including mountain gorillas, being poached. IGCP worked with the UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies to ensure that park resources were not used for the refugees, helped the authorities to strengthen protection of the park, and made everyone aware of the importance of the park and its wildlife. Several meetings were held with top political authorities in the DRC, to ensure their support for conservation of the park. IGCP has consistently argued that humanitarian and relief work in the region should include environmental support. As a result, it has persuaded organizations such as UNHCR, World Food Program and Médecins Sans Frontières to support the park authorities, particularly in the Southern Sector of the Virunga National Park. For the latest reports on IGCP's most recent activities, see Our work. Downloads Building partnerships in the face of political and armed crisis Partnerships for Protected Area Conservation in Rwanda
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