KIGALI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Wednesday announced here the launch of mountain gorilla naming activities, locally called Kwita Izina ahead of the event scheduled on September 1.
This year marks the 13th edition of the annual flagship event in Rwanda's conservation that brings together conservation enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate Rwanda's success in protecting an endangered species.
The theme of this year is "conservation and sustainable tourism, a foundation for future generations," confirming the country's focus in enhancing awareness on sustainably maintaining biodiversity.
"Rwanda's conservation journey has been more rewarding within the past decade, because of the involvement of local communities within the entire tourism and conservation industry to uphold responsibility and sustainability to biodiversity," said Belise Kariza, the Chief Tourism Officer of RDB.
Kariza announced planned activities for Kwita Izina week with a call to action for the public and all key stakeholders to participate in these activities and continue driving the discourse on sustainable tourism, leaving a stamp for future generations.
The week-long event will be initiated by the Gala Dinner on August 26, where industry leaders will come together to celebrate and support Rwanda's conservation success and raise funds for conservation project which is Volcanoes National Park Conservation Easement.
This will be followed by Conservation and Tourism Exhibition on August 27 and 28, targeting the public and industry stakeholders to showcase diverse tourism products in the region and host education displays.
The Conversation on Conservation that annually brings together leading experts to deliberate Africa's common conservation challenges will also take place from August 28 to 29.
RDB is committed to continuing to leverage on platforms such as Kwita Izina, by joining hands with experts in conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of an endangered species, it said.
Gorilla tourism remains the backbone of Rwanda's tourism and conservation industry. Since the initial launch of Kwita Izina in 2005, a total of 239 mountain baby gorillas have been named, according to RDB.
Rwanda also seeks to enforce the domestic tourism campaign following Kwita Izina, a mini draw promotion event will be held on July 4, where lucky winners will be gifted with an opportunity to visit the gorillas in November.
