Conservation
Rwanda’s Akagera Park Embarks on Conservation Drive to Protect Wildlife, Boost Tourism By Xinhua
T
he Akagera National Park located in Rwanda’s eastern province has embarked on improving conservation efforts to protect wildlife, natural habitat and increase tourism revenues. The park, which is Rwanda’s only protected savannah region with a wide range of animals, has intensified efforts to ensure it is run for the public benefit. “In order to boost wildlife conservation at Akagera National Park, in 2010, the government of Rwanda entered into public-private partnership with African Parks to effectively manage the park,” said Jean Paul Karinganire, assistant tourism and marketing manager of Akagera Management Company, in an interview with Xinhua at the park.
He said that along with wildlife conservation and community engagement, the park has evolved in the last decade. “We have put in much effort in engaging the communities surrounding the national park to participate in activities of the park which has boosted wildlife conservation efforts and reduced poaching in the park,” said Karinganire. According to him, the park has seen the reintroduction of lions in 2015, black rhinos in 2017 and white rhinos in 2021 as part of the efforts to ensure wildlife conservation and increased tourism revenues. “Akagera National Park reintroduced seven
32 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | March 2022
