Biodiversity and conservation experts have hailed the inclusion of Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as an opportunity to boost tourism, stimulate job creation, and tap into the global carbon market.

During UNESCO’s 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda’s largest rainforest, earned the coveted World Heritage status, marking a historic achievement for the country.

Aloysie Manishimwe, a conservation expert and researcher at the University of Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, “Nyungwe’s status on UNESCO’s World Heritage List will boost research funding, tourism, and conservation initiatives in addition to boosting Rwanda’s visibility worldwide. The forest has a lot of biodiversity species and has a great contribution to carbon stock.”

Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement Jean Damascene Bizimana welcomed this development, highlighting its importance for both preservation of Rwanda’s natural heritage and the Rwandan people. He noted, “This inscription is not only a contribution to the preservation of Rwanda’s natural heritage, it is also of particular significance to the Rwandan people, for whom it is the first site inscribed on this universal list.”

Nyungwe National Park, covering 101,900 hectares, is not only home to a wealth of biodiversity but also feeds two of the world’s longest rivers, the River Nile and the River Congo, serving as the source of up to 70% of Rwanda’s freshwater.

Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Director General of Rwanda Forestry Authority, emphasized the role of Nyungwe in maintaining a stable water supply, particularly for countries benefiting from the Nile. He added, “Its nomination will also increase the political visibility of Rwanda.” Nsengumuremyi believes that UNESCO’s World Heritage status will attract more tourists and generate job opportunities while also positioning the forest as a carbon pool to explore carbon market opportunities.

Rwanda Development Board (RDB), which manages national parks, sees Nyungwe’s inscription as a crucial step in ensuring its long-term conservation, preserving its natural heritage for future generations, and promoting sustainable development for neighboring communities.

Established as a natural reserve in 1933 and designated a national park in 2005, Nyungwe is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a diverse range of species, including primates, birds, orchids, and butterflies. UNESCO also noted that the rainforest is home to several mammal and bird species that are globally threatened.

Rwanda’s commitment to conserving its natural heritage is further underlined by the inclusion of Gishwati-Mukura National Park in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2020 and the presence of the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve in the network since 1983. These designations highlight Rwanda’s dedication to global conservation efforts.

Before Nyungwe’s inclusion, Rwanda was among the 12 African countries without a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Rwandan government has also requested the inscription of four memorial sites related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which is expected to be on the agenda for discussion.