ITFC formed a partnership with Fauna and Flora International (FFI), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA and the United Organisation for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU) to submit a joint proposal to the Darwin Initiative. The proposal was successful and the project started in April 2012.

 “Integrating Batwa cultural values into national parks management in Uganda”

Purpose: to increase the active engagement of Batwa in national park management and improve relations between Batwa and park authorities.

Background: when Bwindi, Mgahinga and Semuliki National Parks were created in 1991, the many Batwa who were excluded from these forests lost access to the basis of their livelihoods and cultural identity. 

The Convention for Biodiversity, to which Uganda is a signatory, obliges the Ugandan Government (GoU) to recognise the rights of minorities to maintain their cultural practices when this is compatible with conservation.  Many Batwa cherish traditional uses of the forest and therefore continue to use the park and its resources. UWA’s efforts to prevent this through policing are only partially effective and create conflicts that reduce management effectiveness, undermine conservation goals, and raise questions about sustainability. 

Batwa value the forests and support forest conservation, but do not support their current exclusionary management.  This project will promote recognition of Batwa values and institutions, engage the Batwa community in park governance, and help retain values, institutions and ethnic identity, all important contributions to wellbeing. 

ITFC's role: to assess and document the views and cultural values of the Batwa and to help explore how these can be better integrated with conservation practices.  Furthermore, ITFC will develop and implement a Monitoring and Evaluation plan for this project’s objectives and train rangers and Batwa in the monitoring protocol. Together we will provide lesson to share to a wider audience.

Other partners will focus on strengthening communication between Batwa and the park authorities in order to build understanding and confidence, they will also create incentives for income generating activities by Batwa, develop inclusive park management policy, and provide training.