Human Wildlife Conflict Measures Strengthened Around the Virungas.
Blog | 15/03/21
About 38,100 erythrina trees have been planted along the stone wall in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park stretching from Rwanda to DRC border points, covering a stretch of 12.7km.
The actions that were spearheaded by IGCP’s Water4Virungas project in collaboration with the local communities and Uganda Wildlife Authority are aimed at preventing problem animals like buffalos from raiding crops in neighboring farms, reducing conflict and improving park – community relations in the area.
The revonation works also allowed for the community to earn an income. About 40 members who participated in planting erythrina and revonation of the wall earned about 11,200,000 Ug Shillings that enabled them to meet personal and household needs.
In a related development, a 2.5 metre high electric fence covering 3.5 kilometers was erected along the Virunga National Park perimeter in DRC to complement the 7 kms dry stone buffalo wall and trench renovated around Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda in 2020.
Planted on both sides of the stone wall, erythrina helps in strengthening the stonewall and filling up escape points for problem animals from the park to neighboring gardens. Additionally, another 1.2Km of the current 12.7Km stone wall was also renovated and strengthened with cement and sand.
