Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, speaking at the event in the foothills of the park in Kinigi, Musanze District, highlighted the ambitious plan, emphasising that it will not only safeguard the critically endangered mountain gorillas but also uplift surrounding communities.
The ceremony, which named 40 baby gorillas, bringing the total to 438 since 2005, served as a vibrant backdrop to Rwanda's conservation vision. Dozens of high-profile individuals from various fields, including conservation, attended the naming ceremony.
'Rwanda is honoured to be the custodian of these last mountain gorillas, which are not only a global treasure but also a source of pride and economic opportunity for our nation,' Prime Minister Nsengiyumva declared.
'But success brings new challenges. As the gorilla families grow, we must expand their habitat,' he added.
The government plans to increase the park's size from its current 160 square kilometres by approximately 37.4 square kilometres (3,740 hectares), a move expected to support a 15-20% increase in the gorilla population and reduce infant mortality by 50%.
This expansion, supported by partnerships with organisations like the African Wildlife Foundation and the World Bank through its Volcanoes Community Resilience Project (VCRP), aims to reduce rising conflicts between gorilla groups caused by limited space, which can sometimes result in the death of young gorillas.
PM Nsengiyumva framed the expansion as a testament to Rwanda's model of community-centred conservation, which has helped the mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif grow.
"The story of the mountain gorillas has not always been one of celebration. Years ago, their population had alarmingly decreased, and their survival seemed uncertain. Today, we are over a thousand mountain gorillas worldwide, including more than 600 in the Virunga Massif," he stated.
The Prime Minister called on the international community to join Rwanda in this ambitious project, emphasising the shared responsibility to protect biodiversity.
'When we stand united, no mountain is too high to climb,' he said, drawing a parallel between the gorillas' perseverance and humanity's challenges.
Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), echoed the Prime Minister's commitment, emphasising Rwanda's conservation achievements and their economic impact.
'In 2024, the sector generated 647 million dollars, with gorilla tourism alone contributing over 200 million dollars,' Afrika noted.
He credited Rwanda's robust legal and policy framework, including biodiversity laws and a tourism revenue-sharing program that allocates 10% of park revenues to local development, for transforming communities.
'Over 1,200 projects were supported, including schools, health centres, markets, homes, and agricultural hubs,' he said, underscoring the synergy between conservation and community empowerment.
The expansion at Volcanoes National Park will include a buffer zone to minimise human-wildlife conflict, with over 3,400 resettled families gaining access to better housing, social infrastructure, and eco-tourism opportunities, creating an estimated 17,000 new jobs.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
