KIGALI (Xinhua) -- Conservationists and government officials on Monday said conserving Africa’s wildlife and their habitats is beneficial in different areas.

They made the remarks while attending a conservation conference organized by the government of Rwanda in Rwanda’s capital city Kigali. The two-day conservation meeting focuses on highlighting the importance of the conservation of the wildlife habitats and the effects to climate change and as well as generation of tourism revenues. 

“The protection of wildlife and their habitats requires the commitment of rural people and strong support from the government to conserve endangered species and safeguard natural resources,” said Winnie Kiiru, a Kenyan conservation expert.

“It’s through the conservation of the wildlife and their habitats that Africa stands to increase revenues from tourism industry,” Kiiru added.

“We need to educate the communities surrounding national parks and game reserves about the importance of the wildlife habitat and the effects of climate change,” said American wildlife photographer Joe McDonald, adding that conservation of the wildlife habitat is vital towards boosting green growth and addressing disastrous effects of climate change.  

He said Africa boasts a rich variety of attractions that draw in tourists from around the world and a wealth of archaeological sites, wildlife and historic monuments that need to be preserved for future generations.

According to Vincent Biruta, Rwandan minister of natural resources, Rwanda has taken tremendous steps towards conservation of the wildlife and their habitats, especially the endangered mountain gorillas.

“We should put in much effort towards conserving Africa’s wildlife and habitats to generate increased cash flows from tourists,” he said.

The tourism sector currently accounts for 8.1 percent of Africa’s total GDP, according to the UK’s World Travel and Tourism Council.

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