Makymanu-CGG3O-Culminating Assignment Part 2
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Bwindi
Impenetrable
National Park
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Background
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Buhoma,
Uganda, Africa. (See map on next page).
This park is on the small side, with an area comprised of 331
square kilometers
The park was established in 1991, and has since become a
popular tourist attraction.
(Google Maps)
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Map (Google Maps)
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Spatial Significance
Why is this site worthy of being protected?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a
very spatially significant place. This
incredibly unique location is one of the only
places in the world where you can see
Mountain Gorillas, which are currently
classified as an endangered species.
The park is home to almost half of the
entire population of these gorillas
(approximately 340 in the park) , as none
have survived in captivity.
(Wikipedia)
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Spatial Significance -- Biodiversity
Other than being home to over 340 mountain gorillas, which is what
the park is most famous for, Bwindi National Park is also a
biologically rich conservation area, which is home to may other
types of animals.
In fact, the park was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to
it’s ecological significance. (Wikipedia)
The park is home to over 350 different types of birds, of which 14
types cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The park is also home to over 120 types of mammals, which
include types of monkeys, baboons, chimps, forest elephants,
antelopes, and much more. (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
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Impacts and Threats
Current Threats: Some of the current threats to the park are the
local inhabitants who live in poverty, and the risks that are
associated with tourists who visit the park
There have been many conflicts between park officials and locals
over use of park resources and crop damage from wildlife.
In addition, there are many threats related to the tourists who enter
the park, especially those who are there to view the mountain
gorillas. These risks include environmental damage from tourists,
and exposure of diseases/harmful objects (litter, etc.) to the
gorillas.
(WHO)
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Current Protection Methods
Currently, the park is being protected from disputes with local by
legal measures, which state the rights of the national park, as well
as enforced, such as park officials. These methods are currently
working effectively to protect the park.
The risks from tourists, however, have the potential to do great
harm to the park and it’s gorilla population. Due to this, the park had
created many rules and regulations which are in place to protect the
gorillas. These include limiting the number of visitors to about 80
per day, not allowing food/drink, litter, or dangerous weapons
around the gorillas, and ensuring that no one who is ill or under the
age of 15 is allowed on any gorilla trekking tours. (Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park)
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Proposed Changes
I would propose a combination of all four protection models be
implemented/improved to better protect the park and it’s gorilla
population.
Rules: I would include harsher rules, stating exactly what items
are not allowed when with gorillas (for example, list types of
items considered to be weapons). In addition, I would implement
rules that state you must leave your backpacks/ non-vital
personal belongings in the care of the guide when in the
presence of the gorillas to ensure nobody disobeys these rules.
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Legal + Limiting
Legal Consequences: I think that in addition to adding the rules discussed,
there should be strict legal consequences for anyone whole breaks these
rules, such as harsh fines for anyone who litters, or bring dangerous
weapons with them on their trek, as well as anyone who knowingly visits the
animals while ill.
Limiting Number of People: While there are already regulations in place to
limit the number of tourists per day that visit the gorillas, I feel that these
number should be smaller in order to further protect the gorillas. Instead of
allowing 10 groups of 8 people per day, I think the maximum allowed should
be 5 groups of 8 per day, giving the gorillas plenty of time without tourists
each day. In addition, I think there should be designated times fo year
where no tourists are allowed to visit the gorillas (e.g one week per month)
to allow the gorillas some time without human contact.
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Education
Lastly, it’s very important to educate people on exactly what can happen to
the gorillas (and to them) if any of the rules and regulations regarding gorilla
trekking are broken. Many people view rules such as these as things pit in
place only for the convenience of the park workers, or as a way for others
to control them without just cause. If more people understood the dangers
to the gorillas associate with these prohibited things, they might be more
cautious with their actions.
Specifically, tourists who are visiting the gorillas need extensive education
before being allowed to complete their trek, either by attending a mandatory
class by a qualified instructor at the park, or by being given information
packets which they must read. The general public should be informed as
well, by having many educational booklets/videos available.
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Bibliography
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Wildlife. 24 April 2019.
https://www.bwindinationalparkuganda.com/animals-wildlife/. 24 April 2019.
Google Maps. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 24 April 2019.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bwindi+Impenetrable+National+Park/@0.0949989,29.28
14209,8z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x412c1f73ed7fb889!8m2!3d-1.0337306!4d29.6931655. 24
April 2019.
WHO. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 8 November 2017.
https://www.worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/explore-sites/wdpaid/61609. 24 April 2019.
Wikipedia. Bwidni Impenetrable National Park. 24 April 2019.
z https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bwindi_Impenetrable_National_Park. 24 April 2019.
Bibliography
