Beni, April 1st, 2025 (CPA) – The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) has said it is satisfied with the significant progress of improved conservation in its management involving development projects initiated by the company Virunga Sarl for the benefit of local residents, CPA has learned from administrative sources. « We are very satisfied that improved conservation has been a success. We have been introducing modules on human rights and collaboration between eco-guards and the local population during their training courses ever since law 14 came into force, more than 10 years ago, » has declared Methode Uhoze, the park’s external relations officer. Today, he has added, « we are in a position to tell you that this collaboration is already bearing fruit, and several projects have seen the light of day in the vicinity of Virunga National Park to promote the benefits of the park to the population, who are indirect beneficiaries of the application of Law No. 14/003 of February 11th, 2014 on nature conservation, which advocates community conservation ». And he continued: « We have dams that create development and industrialise large conurbations, factories and other activities that create jobs for the population living near the park, this is also our way of doing community conservation of the PNVI (Virunga National Park) ». According to Eric Kitakya, curator of the Iccn Grand Nord, article 202, point 36, subparagraph f, of the Constitution, as set out in this law, elucidates the rules relating to the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and access to and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the exploitation of biological and genetic resources. It competes to ensure, in particular, the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats, the protection of species of wild fauna and flora and sustainable development in protected areas.
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