Gorilla Journal 29, December 2004
Fire in the High Altitude Sector of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park
6 July, 2004: A bushfire threatens several sectors of the high altitude region of Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Our information indicates that the burning hills are occupied by military factions and inaccessible to park officials (the central corridor of Nindja, Katasomwa in the north and Bunyakiri in the west). The premature and very long dry season, which began in March, was partly to blame. But it is worrying that we do not know the exact origin of the fire, which has destroyed large parts of some sectors of the park; recent studies indicate that 90% of neighbouring residents favour the existence of the park. According to our sources, the cause could be any of the following:
- unidentified passers-by,
- illegal farmers,
- Congolese soldiers needing to clear sight-lines to their observation posts,
- Interahamwe wandering in the park.
And yet, the people who are living near the park, ex Mai-Mai and other
soldiers, are proving to be a grave concern to the park's integrity. It
is nothing new that small groups are still in opposition to the park.
In 1995, these detractors gave a rough time to the governmental commission
charged with clarifying park boundaries around Ninja, and since this period,
and with the arrival of the Interahamwe, park rangers have been unable
to enter the area for fear of their lives.
We do notyet know the precise surface area or amount of material damage
sustained. The worsening of poverty and misery is a major obstacle in
the development of this area, and is undeniably related to this terrible
destruction. Nevertheless, the ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation
de la Nature) is having talks with local politico-military authorities
in order to organize a coordinated over-flight to evaluate the situation
on the ground. Rangers were sent off to attempt to extinguish the fires
despite limited resources.
13 July, 2004: Park leaders informed local and national authorities
and the international community about the damage and its consequences
to the province, especially the drying up of the river feeding Bukavu,
the erosion and climatic disturbances.
The population mobilized and successfully extinguished the fire in the
accessible sectors. More than 400 people worked day and night, averting
the risk that the tourist sectors might burn. MONUC Bukavu provided a
40-minute over-flight to verify the situation on the ground using cameras
and other equipment. We are very thankful for their support. These are
our observations:
- The Mt. Kahuzi area was heavily damaged by scattered fire.
- The southern part of the ecological corridor was devastated by fire.
- The bamboo sectors were more resistant to fire than previously thought.
- The farms and several hills are still burning.
For better conservation of this site, the following measures must be
taken:
International level:
- Repatriate the Rwandan armed forces (Interahamwe) since their presence is causing serious harm to the local people and to the park.
- The international community must strongly involve itself in the rehabilitation of this World Heritage Site (especially reafforestation).
- Adopt and enact efficient measures to reduce the poverty of the people living close to the park.
National level:
- Define, once and for all, the park's boundary, particularly that of the corridor.
- Delegate a commission to evaluate damage caused by destructive people in the corridors, and impose appropriate measures.
- Provide surveillance personnel with sufficient and efficient equipment for park patrols.
- Lobbying relevant authorities is of critical importance to resolving this problem.
Local level:
- Seriously involve the local authorities and local people in safekeeping of the park.
- Develop alternatives to exploitation of the natural resources in the park which are sought after by the surrounding populations.
Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi and Carlos Schuler
Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi is a specialist in
wildlife management. He has worked for nature conservation in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo for 22 years, including the Salonga, Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega
National Parks. In August 2002, he became Principal Conservator of the
Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Carlos Schuler first worked as a typographer, then became a windsurfing
and skiing teacher. In 1983, during one of his intercontinental travels,
he visited Bukavu. Two years later he returned and since 1994 he has been
working for the GTZ there.