Mongabay · Climate & nature

Congolese NGO to Co-Manage Itombwe Nature Reserve

For the first time, a Congolese NGO, Strong Roots, will co-manage the Itombwe Nature Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the next 10 years. The Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) will retain oversight.

Strong Roots founder Dominique Bikaba stated the government chose the NGO due to its focus on local communities in conservation efforts. The organization has spent a decade securing land for a 1-million-hectare corridor between Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, establishing 23 community forest concessions covering nearly 600,000 hectares.

Bikaba highlighted Strong Roots' existing work with four of the seven chiefdoms within the reserve, giving them deep knowledge of its needs and challenges. His personal experience as a member of an Indigenous community displaced for a protected area fuels his commitment to community-centered conservation.

Historically, DRC protected areas have often led to conflicts with local communities due to forced evictions. The Itombwe region also faces challenges from armed groups. Strong Roots aims to integrate traditional and modern conservation methods to reduce species decline and local conflicts.

The NGO plans to employ community members as patrol staff, fostering collaboration to decrease reliance on armed groups for survival. They also intend to strengthen anti-poaching and anti-mining enforcement while moving towards a less militarized approach to conservation.

Itombwe Nature Reserve, established in 2006, spans approximately 760,000 hectares and is a vital habitat for nearly 600 bird species and the critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.