Pilot Tourism Revenue-Sharing Programme in Western Uganda 1: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Case Study C0080
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| Date | 1998 |
| Agency | Uganda Wildlife Authority |
| Donor/support agency | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) CARE |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Uganda |
| Locality | Within the Districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Kanangu |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Restrict access to resources within the park boundaries in order to conserve its biodiversity |
| Poverty reduction goals | Compensate the three parishes living adjoining the park though tourism revenue-sharing, sustainable use of non-timber forest products(NTFPs), and the provision of other basic goods and services |
Summary
Pilot tourism revenue-sharing (TRS) schemes were launched under the 1994 mandate in three Ugandan National Parks: Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla (see case study n°81) and Kibale National Parks (see case study n°82). Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kibale all protect mid-high elevation rain forest. Bwindi and Mgahinga are particularly rich in endemic species, and all three parks shelter endangered wildlife, particularly primates. All three sites were designated forest reserves by colonial authorities in 1931–1932, and were eventually surrounded by intensive agriculture, due partly to official resettlement schemes and refugees fleeing war in neighbouring countries. Settlement within the boundaries of the three reserves accelerated during the 1970s after President Idi Amin announced that Ugandans were free to settle on any unoccupied public land. As peace returned to the country in the late 1980s, the government began to enforce existing regulations regarding natural resource use. Then, in the early 1990s, under pressure from national and international conservationists, the Ugandan government ‘upgraded’ these three forest reserves to national parks. Along with this upgrade came stricter enforcement of existing regulations, implementation of new regulations, and increased conflict between local residents and protected areas.
Residents neighbouring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park traditionally depended on the forest for firewood, timber, meat, and medicinal herbs. After Bwindi was gazetted a national park in 1991, hostility towards the protected area increased, due to the enforcement of stricter regulations restricting access to these forest resources. To decrease conflict with neighbouring communities, UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) and two international NGOs (International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) and Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)) began implementing a number of programmes including tourism revenue-sharing, sustainable use of non-timber forest products(NTFPs), conservation education and problem-animal control.
The mountain gorilla ecotourism programme in Bwindi began in 1993, and continues to grow. There are currently two groups of gorillas visited daily by tourists, and a third group is ready for tourism, awaiting UWA approval. Prices for gorilla tracking have been rising steadily, and tourists now pay US$ 250 to view the gorillas for one hour. TRS has funded community development projects in 19 of the 21 parishes bordering the Park since the programme began in 1995. Each parish received approximately US$ 4000 and all either focused on building primary schools, health clinics, or improving roads.
Both IGCP and CARE provided the UWA staff responsible for implementing the TRS programme with strategic planning assistance as well as technical, logistical, and monetary support for community training. Although the TRS programme relied upon donor support in its initial stages, TRS was seen primarily as a UWA programme with the potential to offset these initial costs with long-term benefits. In addition to receiving tourism revenue, local residents are allowed to extract certain resources from Bwindi. Beekeepers in five parishes have been allowed to harvest honey from beehives within the Park. Eight other parishes are participating in programmes that allow the utilization of NTFPs such as fibrous plants for basketry and medicinal herbs from the Park.
Conservation impact
TRS has played a major role in improving the attitudes of local residents towards the park, therefore reducing poaching and illegal harvesting.
Poverty reduction impact
Tourism revenue-sharing has funded community development projects in 19 of the 21 parishes bordering the Park since the programme began in 1995. Each parish received approximately US$ 4000 and all either focused on building primary schools, health clinics, or improving roads.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Revenue sharing
Provision of basic goods/services
Reference 1
Archabald, K. and Naughton-Treves, L., 2001, 'Tourism Revenue-Sharing Around National Parks in Western Uganda: Early Efforts to Identify and Reward Local Communities', Environmental Conservation 28(2):135-49
More information
http://www.uwa.or.ug/bwindi.html
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/index.html?http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/bwindi.html~main
Related records above this one:
- Uganda Wildlife Authority (Organisation O0086)
- CARE International (Organisation O0010)