Assessment and development of a revised and expanded Protected Area Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo
As of: August 2018
Objective and activities
The project aimed to lay the groundwork for planning, establishing and improving a network of protected areas in the Congo Basin covering 15% of the country’s surface area. This new network preserves the biodiversity of forest and freshwater ecosystems and safeguard their role as carbon sinks. The project partners analysed all available data relating to protected areas and develop a catalogue of proposals and a strategic plan.
State of implementation/results
- Project completed
- Potential new protected areas were identified
- Data collection standards and protocols were developed and applied.
- Review of conservation area legislation and the current legal status of protected areas has been conducted, involving legal experts from the regional non-governmental organisation Avocat Verts and other project partners. The recommendations were incorporated into the new legislative process.
- Field expeditions that lasted several weeks in two regions (Domaine de Chasse et Réserve Zoologique et Forestière de Bombo-Lumene/ Maniema Province) for collecting data, designating priority species and documenting illegal activities were conducted.
- Protected area borders were redefined via a participatory process with the local communities
- Partnerships were established (inside and outside the WWF network) to ensure technical and financial support of the project.