Transboundary Strategic Plan in the Virunga Heartland

The Central Albertine Rift region in the Virunga Heartland supports lush afromontane forests and a wealth of species, including the endangered mountain gorilla. Because this area spans the borders of three countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda - transboundary natural resource management is critical to maintaining the integrity of the landscape.

AWF works through the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) to develop regional collaboration, improve transboundary policy and increase respect for effective natural resource management. One key milestone was the launch in February 2008 of the 10-Year Transboundary Strategic Plan for the Central Albertine Rift, which will enable sustainable conservation of natural resources to benefit of the people of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda and the international community.

Though humans recognize international borders, gorillas do not. Groups of mountain gorillas roam across borders of the three countries in the Heartland, moving as they see fit. When gorillas travel from one country to another, people who previously relied on tourism income can suffer.

Thanks to IGCP’s efforts, the three countries are working to ease the consequences for local people in an effort to conserve the natural movements of the gorillas. The launch of the 10-year Transboundary Strategic Plan is the culmination of years of planning and collaboration. The project includes an agreement on collaborative monitoring and revenue-sharing from “transfrontier tourism gorilla groups” in the Central Albertine Rift. In conjunction with this agreement, the governments continue to work out ways to monitor and share revenues from tourism to two groups of gorillas that move within their range in DRC, Rwanda and Uganda.

The issue of movement of mountain gorillas within the transboundary parks continues to be a very visible and immediate issue, but many more exist. To better find long-term solutions to the challenges of transboundary conservation, IGCP was deeply involved in the creation of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Secretariat. The Secretariat currently includes representatives from DRC, Rwanda and Uganda who work with a mission of strengthening transboundary collaboration for conservation and sustainable development across the Central Albertine Rift. IGCP continues to work in solidarity with the Secretariat to better conserve mountain gorillas and their habitat.