U.S. Government Inaugurates National Park Headquarters in Pristine Wildlife Area of South Sudan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2012
Public Information: 202-712-4810
BOMA, SOUTH SUDAN – The United States Government inaugurated the Boma National Park Headquarters in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, drawing attention to the important role that the establishment of protected area management and local governance infrastructure can play in contributing to security, stability, eco-tourism and economic growth, especially in the more isolated regions of South Sudan. This critical infrastructure was built with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Boma was established as a national park in 1986, when South Sudan was part of Sudan.
Boma National Park covers 20,000 square kilometers of woodland savanna and grassland in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states. The park protects one of the largest intact savanna ecosystems in East Africa, hosting significant wildlife populations, including elephants, giraffe, buffalo, numerous antelopes (including common eland, lesser kudu, Bohor reedbuck, gazelles, tiang, Lelwel hartebeest, Beisa oryx, and roan), and an impressive diversity of migratory birds. Boma also hosts critical breeding grounds for the 750,000-strong white-eared kob migration and provides key dry season forage for other migratory antelopes.
Jonglei State, particularly the isolated and remote regions around Boma National Park, has been marked by ongoing instability and insecurity. There has been a continued presence of rebel militias and fighting between ethnic groups fueled by the prevalence of small arms, lack of government presence, and inaccessibility in the rainy season, due to the absence of roads. Protected area management will play a critical role in strengthening and supporting local government and improving security in addition to protecting biodiversity and providing a sustainable foundation for economic growth. USAID and the Wildlife Conservation Society are supporting the South Sudan Wildlife Forces to undertake law enforcement and monitoring activities and to develop security partnerships with other armed forces and local communities.
U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Susan D. Page, who represented the U.S. Government at the event, said, “It is so important that we continue to work together to preserve this area and its wildlife, which are threatened by hasty and unplanned development, or by wildlife poachers, who would ruin a world treasure for their own short-term benefit.”
USAID is providing a wide array of assistance to support the development of South Sudan. USAID is focused on making the new nation increasingly stable by helping the government deliver basic services to citizens, providing effective, inclusive, and accountable governance, diversifying the economy and combating poverty.
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| US Government Inaugurates National Park Headquarters in Pristine Wildlife Area … USAID (press release) BOMA, SOUTH SUDAN – The United States Government inaugurated the Boma National Park Headquarters in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, drawing attention to the important role that the establishment of protected area management and local governance … |
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