Biodiversity Conservation in Regions of Armed Conflict –
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic Region
• Africa/Congo

Partners
• Wildlife Conservation Society
• International Gorilla Conservation Program
• International Rhino Foundation
• DRC Parks Authority (ICCN)
• Gilman International Conservation
• Worldwide Fund for Nature
• Zoological Society of Milwaukee

Amount of Award
$2,895,912

Time Frame
06/00-06/04

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) World Heritage sites are of great biological importance and harbor a wide diversity of animals and plants, including some of the world's rarest and most spectacular large mammals, such as the northern white rhinoceros, Grauer's gorilla, okapi, and bonobo. Also living in and around these sites are the Mbutu pygmies and other unique cultural groups. These sites are part of a protected areas system recognized as among the best in Africa and particularly noted for the professionalism and dedication of its staff.

This grant is helping to protect the DRC’s five World Heritage sites during a period of armed conflict and civil unrest. Recent armed conflict involving the DRC and its neighbors has put enormous strain on these sites and those who manage them and has all but isolated the DRC parks authority in Kinshasa from its staff within the parks. Problems include increased poaching and other natural resource destruction, deteriorating equipment and infrastructure, and demoralized and unpaid park personnel. Four of the sites - Garamba, Kahuzi-Biega, and Virunga National Parks and the Okapi Faunal Reserve - are located in rebel territory in the eastern part of the country and have been declared "World Heritage in Danger" by UNESCO. The fifth, Salonga National Park, is in central DRC and is threatened by related civil unrest.

A partnership involving the UN, the DRC parks authority, and a network of NGOs are working to deliver resources to site staff while generating diplomatic and political support. If successful, this will provide a model for conserving biodiversity in conflict situations elsewhere in the world. The project also has real potential impact beyond the DRC. The effects of armed conflict on biodiversity present a serious and poorly addressed problem elsewhere in the world, in places such as Kashmir and Assam in India as well as in other parts of Africa.