Call to strengthen protection of protected areas in conflict zones in North Kivu

On the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War, environmental communications expert Gédéon Bakerethi called for increased support for the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN). He said armed groups in and around protected areas in eastern DRC threaten conservation and complicate the management of Virunga, Kahuzi-Biega and Maïko national parks, as well as the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Conflict zones are seeing poaching, charcoal production and illegal logging, while natural resources sometimes help finance armed groups. Conservation workers also face serious risks while carrying out their duties.