Roundup: Rwanda names 22 baby gorillas in conservation ceremony

Rwanda on Friday gave names to 22 baby gorillas in an annual tourism conservation event held at the foot of volcanic mountains in Musanze District, Northern Province.

The colorful ceremony, held for the 12th time, was presided over by Rwanda President Paul Kagame and attracted thousands of Rwandans, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign dignitaries and conservation enthusiasts from across the world.

The annual event, locally known as "Kwita Izina" has become a major tourism ceremony in the small central African country. It has boosted efforts to conserve endangered mountain gorillas, which have enabled Rwanda to tap tourism revenues hinged on conservation.

The ceremony's main goal is to help monitor each individual gorilla and their groups in their natural habitat.

Speaking at the event, Belise Kaliza, chief tourism officer of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that the event has promoted the conservation of mountain gorillas, which has become a major tourism attraction to Rwanda.

"We are proud of what our country has achieved in terms of tourism revenues generated over the years. The revenue sharing scheme with communities around national parks has greatly helped conservation efforts," she said.

Kariza stated that baby gorilla naming ceremony was created as a means of bringing attention both locally and internationally about the importance of protecting the mountain gorillas and their habitats.

At the event, President Kagame urged Rwandans to continue to protect wildlife, saying development and conservation are complementary.

"Today is not only about Kwita Izina, it is about remembering that development must be founded on protecting our environment. When we protect our environment, we are also taking care of ourselves. There is no trade-off between economic growths and protecting our environment, they complement each other," he said.

Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming babies soon after they are born. The ceremony has transformed from a local event to an international gorilla conservation brand that promotes tourism.

Last year's baby gorilla naming ceremony attracted 500 international and 20,000 local attendees, according to RDB.

Since the inception of the ceremony, which rates very highly on the country's tourism calendar, the gorilla population has grown by 26.3 percent. Gorillas contribute about 90 percent of the revenues from Rwanda national parks.

RDB organized a series of activities focused on conservation and sustainable tourism as part of Kwita Izina 2016. They include the naming ceremony, exhibitions, community project launches, and fundraising dinner.

The general census of the gorilla population in the Virunga Massif is being carried out with results expected to be published in 2017. The last registered gorilla population was 480 in 2010, a 26.3-percent growth from 380 in 2003. Endit