The DRC Institute for Conservation of Nature depends to 88% of its partners

Dr. Mwamba of the Congolese Institute for Conservation of Nature (ICCN) said there is a serious problem of financing the institute. It was during his speech entitled "Challenges of protected areas in DRC." It was at the event to launch the process of reforestation of Nsele National Park, organized in the context of international day environment, June 5.

Dr. Mwamba said the war that raged in DR Congo has seriously hit the protected areas. ICCN has been facing several challenges. First is the reduction of management capacity because in 15 years the ICCN lost 300 rangers. He believes that reform of the organizational structure and human also is needed. For him, it must restore the integrity of these protected areas for conservation does its job.

There is also the challenge of sustainable funding. He noted that for its functioning ICCN depends to 88% of its partners and for the management of parks almost 100%. So there is a serious problem of financing the ICCN.

The other challenge is the extreme poverty of the population. He deplored that the Ministry of Mines has distributed mining squares for exploitation or for research in four national parks. He said that as the DR Congo wants to become an emerging country, it will be a problem because the government is obliged to exploit the minerals and oil. "We need the DR Congo has a coherent policy, because we can exploit the minerals and oil, but leave the protected areas do their job of preserving nature. We need a national debate about it, "he said, recalling the phrase of the late President Mobutu as conclusion. The Zairian dictator said, "If we do not find life in the world that we find it in DR Congo."