Editor,    
      
The move by Rwanda Development Board (RDB), together with partners to launch three new developed birding routes in Bugesera District need our support.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing aspects of tourism in the country and has contributed significantly to the growing sector. Remember, bird watching tourists spend the longest time which means more money for the host country.

Therefore, it is a good idea for RDB to develop and promote a range of diversified tourism products. At the same time, it is high time that tourism department moved to tap into the goldmine that is bird watching. We need to extend a helping hand to RDB towards this vital aspect.

According to research, 15 percent of the world’s bird species are found in the Eastern African region and Rwanda alone boasts about 700 bird species of which 44 are indigenous.

For instance, the Shoe Bill, the Purple-bleasted Sunbird, the Rwenzori Turaco, the Red-faced Barbet, the Little Bee Eater, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Collared Apalis, and Fraser’s Eagle Owl are some of the most sought after birds readily available to the eye of anyone visiting any of Rwanda’s national parks like Akagera, Volcanoes or Nyungwe.

Wishing RDB success

Alline Gisa
Nyagatare