Human activity cause of Akagera fires

The wildfires that gutted parts of Akagera National Park over the weekend have been blamed on human activities in and around the park. According to the Chief Park Warden, the fire at Mutumba post is believed to have been sparked off by poachers while the one in Nyamabuye was sparked off by fires left unattended at nearby farms. A statement from Rwanda Development Board-Tourism and Conservation, yesterday said that the fires are under control. Two areas have been fully contained and efforts to contain another area are underway. “The good news is that all the fires were fully contained last night. We are cautiously monitoring developments. Our appeal is to the general public to avoid activities that may spark off any fires,” said the RDB-T&C Communications Officer, Annette Mbabazi. According to the communication, the fires started in two different areas – Nyamabuye and Mutumba, and at almost the same time, thus initially making it difficult to contain them immediately. The last fire breakout in the park took place in July.Mbabazi said that concerted efforts were mobilized and by Sunday afternoon, the fires at Nyamabuye had been fully contained. She noted that approximately 305 hectares of the 1,085 sq km park that is based in the Eastern Province have been burned down. “The quick intervention to contain the fire from spreading further is attributed to over 600 military, National Police personnel and members of communities neighbouring the park.” Akagera National Park is the second frequently visited of all the three parks and contributes 42 percent of tourism revenues. Ends