APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has allocated about 3 million USD to compensate communities in various districts surrounding four national parks as part of the revenue-sharing scheme for 2023-2024, local media reported Saturday in Kigali.
The revenue-sharing scheme, initiated in 2005, aims to curb poaching in the parks and enhance the living conditions of the neighbouring communities by providing viable livelihood options. This initiative allocates 10 percent of the annual tourism park revenues to the nearby communities, supporting their development and prosperity.
Reports indicate that as part of sharing revenues generated from tourism, Musanze district (North) received Rwf381 million (about 380,000 USD), Rubavu district (West) received Rwf 95 million (about 95,000 USD), Rutsiro district (West) received Rwf 327 million (about 327,000 USD), and Ngororero district (West) received Rwf 163 million (163,000 USD), all generated from tourism revenues.
It said that Other districts such as Burera (North), Nyaruguru (South), Nyamagabe (South), Rusizi (South West), and Nyabihu (North West) also received varying amounts of support.
The revenue share programme, initiated in 2005 by the Government, aims to guide investment in the areas surrounding the various national parks in Rwanda by ensuring that 10 per cent of all park revenues are given back to the communities.
The projects have availed clean drinking water, milk, health centres, classrooms and housing to members of the communities living around the three national parks; Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
In 2021, total tourism revenues were $164 million, a 25 percent increase from $131 million in 2020.
Approximately $360 million revenue have been generated from the same industry in 2022, according to official estimates.
CU/as/APA