Save Gorillas: Focus on Communities

We need to change the paradigm of Gorilla tourism and conservation and make it central to the economic mainstream so communities have a stake in the survival of the gorillas and habitat. Only by putting bread on the table of local people and giving their children a better future, will we ensure that gorilla conservation works. Does this not require a radical rethink by those of us who are privileged, so we support conservation and tourism not for ourselves, but in order to support the local communities who ultimately can save the gorillas? A ‘visionary conservationist’ and ‘one of top twenty-five conservation-philanthropists’ Praveen Moman is the founder of Volcanoes Safaris, which has been at the forefront of reviving tourism in Uganda and Rwanda and creating the great ape ecotourism model. A ‘visionary conservationist’ and ‘one of top twenty-five conservation-philanthropists’ Praveen Moman is the founder of Volcanoes Safaris, which has been at the forefront of reviving tourism in Uganda and Rwanda and creating the great ape ecotourism model. Volcanoes Safaris, unique lodges near the great ape parks that are sensitive to local culture and aesthetics, helped kickstart gorilla tourism after the Rwanda genocide through the Volcanoes BLCF Partnership Project. Praveen also aims to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities and promote the conservation of the great apes through his non-profit the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx