As part of its « Alliance for Biodiversity Protection and Development » project, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a partnership agreement with Sofibanque to support the development of inclusive and sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises in the Haut-Uele province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This partnership aims to improve living conditions for local communities and reduce pressure on natural resources around Garamba National Park and the Kibali gold mine.
Toute l'actu sur la protection de l'environnement
As part of its « Alliance for Biodiversity Protection and Development » project, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a partnership agreement with Sofibanque to support the development of inclusive and sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises in the Haut-Uele province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This partnership aims to improve living conditions for local communities and reduce pressure on natural resources around Garamba National Park and the Kibali gold mine.
In the province of Haut-Uele, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector and the poor diversification of business sectors are hampering economic development and damaging biodiversity. Faced with a lack of opportunities, local populations are turning to poaching, illegal logging and artisanal gold mining.
To reverse this trend, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a partnership between its « Alliance for the Protection of Biodiversity and Development » (APBD) project, implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), and Sofibanque, a commercial bank based in Kinshasa. The project aims to improve the living conditions of local communities and reduce pressure on natural resources around Garamba National Park and the Kibali gold mine.
USAID’s APBD project will achieve its objectives by mobilizing the resources of public and private partners, in the form of subsidized interventions, partnerships and cost-sharing agreements, or as an intermediary between third parties. These interventions are structured around four components. Improving access to economic and financial opportunities, sustainable private sector development, capacity building for responsible artisanal mining, and integrated and effective management of Garamba National Park.
« By combining the experience and financial products provided by Sofibanque with the expertise of ASI and Global Communities in supporting SMEs, the APBD project aims to demonstrate that supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a powerful way of diversifying the local economy and creating jobs. In addition, it is a means of creating market opportunities that will encourage communities to engage in more sustainable livelihoods and reduce their pressure on the protected areas of Garamba National Park, » said Kevin Kiffer, APBD Project Manager.
The APBD project is the second of its kind to be launched in Haut-Uele province in the space of 7 months. In May 2023, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in the DRC, the Korean Embassy, and the DR Congolese Ministry of the Environment launched the Integrated Program for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in Haut-Uélé province. Funded by the Republic of Korea ($9 million) and the UNDP ($1 million), the project aims to combat climate change and improve economic conditions for indigenous populations.
Fanta Mabo
Dans le cadre d’une mission conjointe entre les agents de la police judiciaire de Makokou, la Direction de la Lutte Contre le Braconnage et la Direction Provinciale des Eaux et Forêts, appuyés par l’ONG Conservation Justice, une opération ciblée dans un quartier de la ville de Booué, dans le département de la Lopé, province de l’Ogooué-Ivindo, a été organisée ce 13 janvier 2024.
En
effet, cette opération a conduit à l'interpellation de trois individus en
flagrant délit de détention et de tentative de commercialisation de deux
pointes d'ivoire. Les présumés trafiquants ont été pris sur le fait en tentant
de vendre les deux pointes d'ivoire dissimulées dans un sac de riz.
Au
cours de l'interrogatoire, il a été établi qu'il s'agissait de deux citoyens
gabonais répondant aux initiales
A.S.M. et M.M,
les présumés trafiquants
ont reconnu s'être
rendus sur le
lieu de l'appréhension pour vendre lesdites pointes. L'un d'eux
travaille à l'Unité de Production de Traverse en Béton Armé (UPTBA),
sous-traitant de SETRAG.
Suite
aux aveux du présumé trafiquant A.S.M. au cours de l'interrogatoire, une
perquisition à son domicile a été menée, révélant la détention d'une arme de
chasse qui a été saisie. Les trois présumés trafiquants, ainsi que les saisies,
ont été transportés à Makokou.
Actuellement,
les trois présumés trafiquants d'ivoire sont en garde à vue dans les locaux de
la Police Judiciaire de Makokou, en attente de leur présentation devant le
Procureur de la République. Cette interpellation, illustre l'efficacité des
opérations conjointes entre les forces de l'ordre, les Eaux et Forêts et
Conservation Justice et témoigne de l'engagement du Gabon à protéger sa
biodiversité et à sanctionner sévèrement ceux qui se livrent à des activités illégales
mettant en danger la faune, conformément aux dispositions de la législation.
GABON : Trois trafiquants d’ivoire, interpelés à Booué
Dans le cadre d’une mission conjointe entre les agents de la police judiciaire de Makokou, la Direction de la Lutte Contre le Braconnage et la Direction Provinciale des Eaux et Forêts, appuyés par l’ONG Conservation Justice, une opération ciblée dans un quartier de la ville de Booué, dans le département de la Lopé, province de l’Ogooué-Ivindo, a été organisée ce 13 janvier 2024.
After giving the green light to the population to kill elephants that ravage plantations or break up houses, Gabon’s President of the Transition is reversing his decision. Giving pride of place to the human element, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema acknowledges that human-elephant conflicts must be settled in strict compliance with the law. This clarification was backed up by a press release from the Gabonese Ministry of Justice on the conditions governing the slaughter of elephant pests.
The transitional Gabonese government has reviewed its decision on the slaughter of crop-raiding elephants. At the New Year’s Eve ceremony on 4 January 2024 at the presidential palace in Libreville, the head of state pointed out that the man-elephant conflict in Gabon must be settled in strict compliance with the law. « Yes, we must protect people from elephants. But protecting people whose flesh or property is attacked does not mean slaughtering elephants, which are a fundamental part of our environment. Everything must therefore be done in accordance with our laws and regulations on the subject », declared General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Only shoot pachyderms in self-defence
On the same day, a press release from the Ministry of Justice provided further details of this warning from the Gabonese President of the Transition. According to the Ministry, the measures taken by the President of the Transition are based on article 172 of law no. 016/01 of 31 December 2001 on the Forestry Code in the Gabonese Republic, which stipulates that « legitimate defence is understood to mean the prohibited act of hunting carried out in the immediate need to defend oneself, others or one’s harvest ».
The Ministry of Justice press release also points out that « apart from legitimate self-defence, fully protected animal species, in particular the elephant, may not be hunted or captured. Those responsible for poaching are therefore liable to prosecution and penalties ranging from 15 years’ imprisonment to 3 to 6 months’ ritual imprisonment, in addition to a fine of between one million and 10 million CFA francs ».
At least 4 elephants have already been slaughtered
The Gabonese government’s new stance on the slaughter of elephants was prompted by the controversy surrounding the announcement made by the President of the Transition at the beginning of December 2023. During a tour of the interior of the country, he met and exchanged views with the local population, who presented him with their concerns, including the horrors of the human-elephant conflict. In no uncertain terms, the Head of State called for the killing of elephants that attack crops and the release of all those imprisoned for killing a pachyderm.
Since Oligui Nguema’s announcement, local media have reported that at least four elephants have already been killed.
Fanta Mabo
GABON: transitional government readjusts its decision on the slaughter of elephants
After giving the green light to the population to kill elephants that ravage plantations or break up houses, Gabon’s President of the Transition is reversing his decision. Giving pride of place to the human element, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema acknowledges that human-elephant conflicts must be settled in strict compliance with the law. This clarification was backed up by a press release from the Gabonese Ministry of Justice on the conditions governing the slaughter of elephant pests.
Madagascar is the world leader in the vanilla industry, accounting for almost 70% of the supply, but its cultivation of the world’s most prized flavour is causing ecological damage. In a study published at the end of December 2023, researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany indicate that vanilla cultivation in the forest leads to a 47% reduction in endemic species. This drop in biodiversity can be avoided if vanilla is grown on fallow land.
A new study highlights the harmful impact of vanilla cultivation on Madagascar’s biodiversity. An alarming 47% drop in endemic species has been observed when this spice is grown in forests. This is a worrying figure, especially as the island of Madagascar is renowned for its unique species. Nearly 90% of species are endemic to the island, according to official figures.
The study, published at the end of December 2023 in the journal Natural Communications by researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany, focused on biodiversity in the north-east region of Madagascar, delving into the wealth of flora and fauna to take a close look at trees, herbaceous plants, birds, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and ants. The study also found that the density and length of vanilla plants could have an impact on certain aspects of biodiversity. Denser and longer plants, while beneficial for yields, could have a negative impact on the development of certain tree and reptile species.
Vanilla, a « green gold » for Madagascar
Vanilla cultivation and export are vital to Madagascar and to thousands of small farmers in the north-east of the island. Sold at 250 dollars a kilogram, vanilla is the most expensive spice in the world after saffron. This is a godsend for Madagascar, which exports nearly 2,500 tonnes a year – 70% of the world’s supply – and will generate revenue of around $602 million in 2021, according to figures from the Central Bank of Madagascar.
To reconcile economic prosperity and biodiversity conservation in Madagascan vanilla cultivation, the team of researchers from the University of Göttingen is advising farmers to turn to fallow land, i.e. farmland left uncultivated for a certain period of time. « The good news is that farmers do not need to clear their land to obtain high yields. In fact, they can add value to the biodiversity of fallow land by growing vanilla on it », said Dr Annemarie Wurz, lead author of the study.
Fanta Mabo
MADAGASCAR: vanilla cultivation in the forest threatens 47% of endemic species
Madagascar is the world leader in the vanilla industry, accounting for almost 70% of the supply, but its cultivation of the world’s most prized flavour is causing ecological damage. In a study published at the end of December 2023, researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany indicate that vanilla cultivation in the forest leads to a 47% reduction in endemic species. This drop in biodiversity can be avoided if vanilla is grown on fallow land.
Protégée du braconnage, la plus grande population d’éléphants au monde est menacée par la sécheresse. Selon le Fonds international pour la protection des animaux (IFAW), au moins 100 éléphants sont morts dans le parc national de Hwange, la plus grande réserve naturelle du Zimbabwe.
Au Zimbabwe, les pluies d’été ont accusé un retard d’environ cinq semaines, en raison du phénomène El Niño (qui se traduit pas une hausse de la température à la surface de l’eau). Dans le parc national de Hwange, qui couvre environ 15 000 kilomètres carrés au nord-ouest du pays, de nombreux points d’eau autrefois abondants, se sont transformés en flaques boueuses. Les près de 45 000 éléphants que compte l’aire protégée ont fait face à un stress hydrique sévère. Épuisés par le manque d’eau, des dizaines d’entre eux ont succombé.
« À la fin de la saison sèche, les éléphants sont toujours affaiblis. Pendant la saison sèche, les éléphants restent toujours autour des points d’eau, ils se nourrissent de la végétation avoisinante et donc plus la saison sèche dure, plus ils doivent s’éloigner des points d’eau pour manger et revenir pour boire. Donc si la saison sèche se prolonge, les distances à parcourir deviennent trop importantes et les éléphants s’affaiblissent et certains finissent par mourir », explique David Germain-Robin, du Fonds international pour la protection des animaux (IFAW).
L’organisation indique que les 104 forages d’eau alimentés par énergie solaire du parc de Hwange n’étaient pas suffisants pour faire face aux températures extrêmes qui assèchent les points d’eau existants, obligeant les animaux à parcourir de longues distances à la recherche de nourriture et d’eau. « Au moins 100 éléphants seraient déjà morts à cause du manque d’eau », déplore l’IFAW.
La nouvelle sur le péril des éléphants au Zimbabwe est survenue au moment où s’achevait à Dubaï aux Émirats arabes unis (EAU), la 28e Conférence des Nations unies sur le climat (COP28). Des négociations au cours desquelles, l’IFAW a mis en avant l’impact dévastateur du changement climatique sur la faune et les êtres humains. « Les animaux sauvages empêchent le carbone, déjà stocké dans la nature, d’être libéré dans l’atmosphère et aident la nature à absorber et à stocker encore plus de carbone », a expliqué Phillip Kuvawoga, directeur du programme Conservation des habitats à l’IFAW. L’organisation appelle à une approche intégrée et holistique pour soutenir les habitats et les communautés résilientes au changement climatique.
Boris Ngounou
ZIMBABWE: la sécheresse tue plus 100 éléphants en trois mois
Protégée du braconnage, la plus grande population d’éléphants au monde est menacée par la sécheresse. Selon le Fonds international pour la protection des animaux (IFAW), au moins 100 éléphants sont morts dans le parc national de Hwange, la plus grande réserve naturelle du Zimbabwe.