The SWM Project in Democratic Republic of the Congo
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
© WCS/Idriss Ayaya SWM PROJECT
The Ituri Province, and in particular the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, are home to some of Central Africa’s richest wildlife. Hunting and gathering forest products are central to rural communities and indigenous people’s cultural identity. Community well-being also depends on the protein intake and income provided by these activities. Threats to Ituri’s wildlife are increasing as is the demand for wild meat, which is driven by the expanding human population caused by the mining boom, agricultural expansion and logging activities.
The SWM Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo promotes sustainable community management of hunting within and outside the protected areas. It will help reduce the risk of extinction of protected species while improving the communities’ long-term well-being. The SWM activities in DRC are implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society, in collaboration with national authorities.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
- Suspended (temporarily) most of the field activities due to COVID-19;
- Analysed socio-economic data;
- Finalised wildlife monitoring, offtake and market survey protocols;
- Finalised a comprehensive Free, Prior and Informed Consent protocol;
- Completed wild meat, beef, chicken and fish value-chain analyses;
- Completed 1 300 baseline socioeconomic surveys with households in 42 villages;
- Launched animal protein consumption surveys in rural and urban areas.
NATIONAL PARTNERS
