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On National Tree Day, celebrated every December 5th, a workshop was organized by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), the National Forest Fund (FFN), the Provincial Environment Division, and other partners to discuss the impact of war on the forest ecosystems of North Kivu and potential solutions to combat deforestation.
The event brought together environmental professionals, including ICCN and FFN staff, the Provincial Environment Division, as well as students, researchers, journalists, university professors, and members of environmental organizations. The discussions focused on the impact of armed conflict on biodiversity, particularly in Virunga National Park (PNV), and the role of institutions such as FFN in managing natural resources, ICCN in protecting biodiversity and safeguarding the environment, and the Provincial Environment Division in improving degraded sites through reforestation and supporting farmers in community forests.
During the workshop, each professional presented their institution, its role, and the concrete actions they have already undertaken to address this crisis. They also discussed their future projections to save biodiversity under threat due to the war.
What Are the Consequences of War on the Biodiversity and Ecosystem of Virunga National Park?
Bienvenue Boende, the communications officer for ICCN, addressed one of the most pressing issues: the consequences of war on the biodiversity and ecosystem of Virunga National Park. Located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a hotspot of biodiversity, home to mountain gorillas and other endemic species. However, the armed conflicts shaking the region have a devastating impact on this unique ecosystem.
« The war causes several negative effects on the biodiversity of Virunga National Park (PNVi). On the one hand, the presence of armed groups leads to deforestation due to the illegal exploitation of natural resources, particularly wood and minerals. On the other hand, poaching, encouraged by insecurity and lack of surveillance, is a constant threat to the park’s animal species, especially the mountain gorillas, which are already critically endangered. The fighting, forced displacement of local populations, and destruction of ecological infrastructure also harm both the fauna and flora. »
Since the massive displacement of populations, there has been a growing demand for firewood and timber for construction. As the number of displaced people increases, so does the need for housing space.
« Over 1.3 million war-displaced persons not only pose a threat to the city of Goma but also to the biodiversity of the park. We also note that over 324 hectares of forest cover have been destroyed due to the war. Since 2001 to 2013, the DRC lost more than 614 thousand hectares of forest. After 2013, the loss continues with 57 thousand hectares lost during the war, » says Bienvenue Boende, ICCN’s communications officer.
A young participant in the workshop, Mr. Jems BASHONGA, Deputy Coordinator of ALLEN+, listed some factors contributing to the destruction of Virunga National Park:
» *The search for vital needs of the population, rapid population growth, ethnic conflict, the influx of refugees (war displaced), looting of local infrastructure, the presence of armed groups, insecurity
Biological invasions: non-native species disrupting ecosystems.
Advanced degradation of the park: pollution, soil and water contamination,
Deforestation: illegal logging and intensive agriculture. The loss of revenue from tourism, encroachment for agriculture.
Climate change, which has a strong impact on ecosystems and species.
Poaching and illegal hunting, which threaten species like gorillas.
Potential oil exploration (a danger causing irreversible effects on climate and desertification), the increased frequency and intensity of volcanic eruptions due to drilling activities near the eight volcanoes, environmental pollution.
Poor government policies and lack of enforcement of laws that prevent Congolese from advancing in certain areas of the country.
Armed conflicts thus disrupt both wildlife and flora. » added Jems BASHONGA.
Furthermore, the war prevents authorities, particularly ICCN, from managing and protecting the park. The deaths of ecoguards are also noted. Surveillance and research activities are difficult to carry out in such an unstable environment, making conservation even more complex.
It is important to note that PNVi has already lost more than 946 hectares of its territory, occupied by both military personnel and displaced persons.
Finding Solutions to this Problem Requires Community, National, and International Commitment
At the international level, UNESCO and its partners are committed to protecting the ecosystem, biodiversity, and personnel of PNVi.
ICCN, as a state institution, must work alongside the Provincial Environment Division and the National Forest Fund to address this community issue, emphasizes environmental activist Jems BASHONGA.
What Solutions Are Proposed by State Institutions?
During the workshop, Engineer Alphonse Migheri, Provincial Director of the Environment, highlighted the crucial role of the Provincial Environment Division in environmental preservation.
« Our role at the provincial division level is to assist populations with reforestation programs, guide activities in managing community forests, regulate logging, and ensure the conservation of protected areas such as Virunga National Park (PNVi) with its 230 endemic species, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and Maiko National Park. We also handle the reforestation of the shorelines of Lake Edward and Lake Kivu. »
ICCN, in its mission, conducts extensive public awareness campaigns.
Bienvenue Boende elaborated: « You know, the loss of biodiversity during this period of war is an issue that requires ongoing awareness, especially in the context of war in North Kivu. Whenever there are such opportunities, we use these spaces to raise awareness about the conservation and preservation of Virunga National Park, but also to educate about the activities we conduct outside the park, including reforestation and fighting climate change. »
However, emphasis was also placed on the role of the National Forest Fund (FFN) in the sustainable management of forest resources in DRC.
The National Forest Fund (FFN) is a public institution created to manage, conserve, and finance forest-related projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. FFN is responsible for promoting sustainable forest management in a country that contains around 60% of Africa’s tropical forests. One of its primary missions is to manage forest resources in a way that preserves ecological balance while supporting local communities that depend on these forests.
In DRC, FFN plays a vital role in implementing reforestation projects, managing forest resources, and combating deforestation. In a war context, where forests and ecosystems are constantly threatened by illegal exploitation, FFN works to ensure forest regeneration, support conservation activities, and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources. The institution is also involved in promoting participatory management, involving local communities in forest preservation and the fight against environmental threats.
Solutions for the Population
The populations of North Kivu and DRC, in general, are called to become informed about environmental protection conditions through awareness: education on biodiversity, environmental education, and climate education. Sustainable agriculture involves environmentally friendly practices, including climate-smart agriculture.
Reforestation through tree planting campaigns, species protection, strengthening anti-poaching laws, and community engagement: participation in resource management are key solutions, according to Jems BASHONGA, a young climate activist.
Several youth environmental activist organizations are aligning to address this issue of environmental education. For example, at ALLEN+, young people play a key role in:
« Awareness campaigns: they organize educational events on biodiversity protection and conservation. Plastic waste collection along Lake Kivu, educating other youth through radio broadcasts and other platforms.
Training climate activists: we train young people who represent DRC at COP and other climate and biodiversity conferences.
Cleaning campaigns: reducing pollution.
Tree planting initiatives: reforestation projects.
Advocacy: promoting conservation policies.
Use of social media: large-scale awareness.
All these efforts contribute to preserving PNVi and its biodiversity, » argued Jems BASHONGA, Deputy Coordinator of ALLEN+.
It is worth noting that this workshop organized by ICCN, FFN, and the Provincial Environment Division helped underline the profound impact of war on the ecosystems of North Kivu, particularly on the biodiversity of Virunga National Park. The war severely disrupts wildlife and flora, with devastating consequences for emblematic species such as the mountain gorillas. In this context, the actions of FFN and the Provincial Environment Division are essential for restoring and protecting natural resources despite the challenges posed by insecurity. Tree planting was a key activity to close the day.
In this war context, it is crucial for Congolese authorities, environmental organizations, and local communities to unite their efforts to counter these environmental threats by implementing sustainable conservation and natural resource management strategies, in order to protect the country’s ecosystems for future generations.
Environmental education and large-scale awareness remain the only way to raise the voice for the protection of biodiversity in Virunga National Park.
