By Mick Krever, CNN Virunga National Park is where worlds collide. Lush green hills, anti-government rebels, poachers (and anti-poaching rangers), an oil company, endangered gorillas, and – oh yes – locals just looking for a little bit of economic development. They all come together in one of the most beautiful places on earth, in the heart of Africa, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the border with Rwanda. The fight to protect the park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the subject of a new documentary, “Virunga.” “Whats happening in Virunga is an urgent, precedent-setting case,” director Orlando von Einsiedel told CNN’s Paula Newton, in for Christiane Amanpour, on Wednesday. Only 0.05% of the world’s surface is considered “protected,” he said. “If we cant defend that tiny percentage of the worlds surface, what chance do we have to defend the Great Barrier Reef, or Yellowstone National Park, or Yosemite?” The danger was highlighted just last week when chief park warden Emmanuel de Merode, a central player in the film, was shot and nearly killed by unknown gunmen in Virunga. “Weve been in daily contact with Emmanuel,” von Einsiedel said. “Hes doing okay. Hes recovering at the moment in hospital.” amanpour.blogs.cnn/2014/04/23/worlds-collide-in-central-african-world-heritage-park/
Posted on: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 07:29:54 +0000
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