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USAID Helps Uganda’s Forest EcoTourism Chimp Project
Henrietta Fore, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), took part in the grand opening of the Uganda’s Kaniyo Pabidi Chimp Trekking Facility in Budongo Forest this month. USAID contributed $300,000 to the public-private partnership with the Ugandan National Forestry Authority, The Walt Disney Company, Jane Goodall Institute and Let’s Go Travel. The eco-tourism site includes a new visitor reception center, cabins for tourists, improvements to 20-kilometers of trekking trails, habituation of chimpanzees in the forest for viewing by tourists and improvements to the Busingiro Environmental Education Centre.
“Uganda is a country with incredible natural beauty, bio-diversity and tourism potential,” said Fore.
This eco-tourism facility will generate approximately $350,000 to $400,000 per year from trekking and tourist accommodation fees, and is an example of how biodiversity conservation activities can contribute to economic growth, sustainable enterprise development, community participation and revenue sharing, while conserving a threatened great ape, the chimpanzeeâ€.
Uganda’s State Minister for Environment, Jessica Eriyo said, “The government is fully committed toward conserving natural forests and their bio-diversity to improve prospects for tourism services.” The Budongo Forest also provides incentives such as employment and education to the local people living on the forest borders. Other indirect benefits for locals will include the selling of handicraftand foods to the new tourism centre.
U.S. assistance to Uganda focuses on strengthening the conditions for peaceful development in post-conflict northern Uganda; promoting the institutionalization of multi-party democracy; addressing key health threats including malaria and HIV/AIDS; incorporating smallholder farmers into the value chain and protecting biodiversity in the environmentally threatened Albertine Rift and endangered areas of northern Uganda.
Also on hand for the opening was U.S. Ambassador Steven Browning, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa Kate Almquist and USAID/Uganda Mission Director Margot Ellis.
Uganda is currently formulating its Euro £1m+ Sustainable Tourism Development Plan with funds from the European Union
By :Valere Tjolle
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