Deforestation endangers rare gorillas in DRCongo park: campaigners

By AFP

Massive deforestation, caused in part by the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is threatening a national park there that is the last sanctuary for eastern lowland gorillas.

Demographic pressure is the main reason for the deforestation, but the situation has worsened as the armed conflict in region has once again flared up, they said.

Some 1,500 trees a month are being cut down in the Kahuzi-Biega (PNKB) park, either to be turned into planks or charcoal, said a recent report by local environmental group SYDHE and the Institute for Electoral Governance and Education (IGE).

"Many parts of the territory are occupied (by fighters of the M23 group) and to get wood, the population has no alternative besides the Kahuzi-Biega park", Patrice Lwabaguma, one of the report's authors, told AFP.

Transported in private vehicles, motorbikes or foot, the planks and bags are transported to Bukavu, capital of South Kivu, but also by boat across Lake Kivu to Goma, in the neighbouring province of North Kivu.

Local officials insist they are doing what they can to protect the park.

Innocent Bayubasire, head of the provincial environmental office, said forest guards had been deployed in the areas bordering the park.

The most affected areas are controlled by armed groups or those under their protection who practise logging and large-scale illegal mining" the PNKB park said in a statement signed by its director Arthur Kalonji Mulamayi.

The park is running campaigns to convince locals of the importance of "preserving this natural wealth", he added.

The 6,000 square kilometre (2,300 square mile) park, home to the last critically endangered eastern lowland gorillas, was placed in 1997 on a list of World Heritage sites in danger.