Understanding the Gorilla Habitat pt. 2

Life In The Gorilla Habitat Pre-1992

Over the past 200 years with pressure from the growth of a diverse population and local conflicts the number of Mountain Gorillas decreased to less than 600 individuals. In 1992 Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo decide to create sanctuaries for the Mountain Gorillas and the population has now recovered to over 1000 individuals. 

The recovery in the Mountain Gorilla population is encouraging but the stress placed on the surrounding villages has been severe. The natives were evicted from their ancestral home in the forest without any compensation and now are almost exclusively dependent on agriculture to survive. As the population continues to increase more and more deforestation is occurring, more severe health problems are developing and tension among the local tribes and across the borders is simmering. Tourism is critical for the National Governments, tour operators and the villagers but without improving the living conditions and education opportunities, a major conflict is almost guaranteed.

Three Nkoringo natives in front of traditional hut