A Community Project for Conservation
The Gorilla Reserve of Tayna is situated in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, North Kivu, Lubero territory, at 0°-0°30'N and 28°30'-29°E.
It is separated into two parts: The southern sector has an area of about
450 km², the northern sector about 90 km². The reserve is a
community initiative and the land is property of the state. It is under
community management and customary responsibility of the Batangi and Bamate
chieftains.
Within the reserve, the vegetation consists mostly of
ombrophile forests of transition, and most of the area is covered by primary
forest. Regarding the fauna, some species are particularly interesting:
the eastern lowland or Grauer's gorilla, the chimpanzee, the forest buffalo
and the Congolese peacock. The biological diversity is remarkable, gorillas
and chimpanzees are numerous. More detailed studies are still necessary
to determine the number of animal and plant species in the reserve. The
results will certainly be surprising.
In the surroundings of the reserve, people are grouped
in small villages close to the boundaries. The largest village contains
about 50 families along the main path that leads to a zone where mining
takes place. This is an important place for gold mining, therefore it
is presently fallow and a temporary encampment for 15-20 persons was constructed
on this land.
The population cultivates various crops; the region is
favourable for certain vegetables. People hunt for their own personal
requirements, particularly porcupines and giant hogs. Gorillas are not
consumed but sometimes chased when they damage plants and are considered
dangerous for the population. Mining for gold is an important economic
factor in the region. Bartering (with gold) is the only form of commercial
exchange.
The main cause for deforestation in the region is the
need of land for pasture and agriculture. At the moment, deforestation
has been stopped 20 km from the reserve. Population migration programs
now being organised in Lubero territory may pose a danger for the region.
Their aim is to relocate people who have settled in the boundary zones
of the Virunga National Park and the population in the western lowland
zones. These migrations would increase the deforestation and be a risk
for gorilla protection.
It would be possible to cross the reserve from the east
by vehicle if the road was re-opened. This road has provided access to
the mines since the colonial period. After the end of the colonial time
they deteriorated. An airstrip at Bunyatenge (about 30 km east of the
reserve) has not been maintained since the 1960s. The rivers in the region
are navigable only for short distances because of numerous falls and cannot
be crossed during rainy seasons.
Gold mining and wild animal hunting constitute the main
sources of income for the local communities living around the reserve.
With tourist visits to gorillas, however, the roads could be re-opened,
and if the airstrip were repaired, the region's development could be promoted.
Management of the Reserve and Priority Actions
The reserve is run by three bodies: an administration
counsel headed by a customary chief, a management counsel and a permanent
management committee. Up to now, the material and feeding participation
of the leader team during their visits of the area is financed by themselves
individually and by the community. Some funding of material and for human
resources would improve the conservation of the biodiversity in the region.
We have no means of transport there. From the principal road up to the
reserve, it is a 2-days walk and for crossing the reserve from east to
west we need about 4 days.
At the moment a survey of the fauna and flora in the whole reserve is
the first priority as well as a socio-economic study of the local population.
Based on the results of these studies, educational, scientific, economic
and ecotouristic objectives have to be defined and a plan for the optimal
management of forest resources has to be developed. This should include
the preservation of the resources by the promotion of agroforestry, reforestation
and community development. An adequate area for the reserve based on ecological
data should be set up. It is important to clearly define the duties of
all those involved inside and outside of the reserve. The relationship
between the reserve and the local population should be improved and the
economic activities in the region should be controlled and developed.
According to the settlements of the population, a clear definition of
the reserve's limits is very necessary. Setting up structures for supervision
and control of human activities is also necessary and requires the recruitment
of additional personnel, equipment, means of transport, the improvement
of living conditions of all the personnel and the marking of the boundaries.
The training of the personnel is an absolute necessity.
Support has Started
In order to reinforce the community efforts, the DFGF (Dian Fossey
Gorilla Fund International) donated a GPS machine and US$ 500 for
the training and setting up of a team of guard trackers (8 are already
at work). Partners in Conservation (Columbus Zoo) gave US$ 500
of allowances. Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe provided
basic materials (blankets, basins, torches, ...). This support will be
used to launch gorilla monitoring and to collect data on vegetation and
cartography. Earthwarch allowed a probation period for 2 persons in Cameroon.
Five staff members will be trained in Tanzania (Mweka College of African
Wildlife Management) and soon in South Africa (South Africa College).
In the meantime we need a sponsor for the training.
The Gorilla Reserve of Tayna welcomed the moral support
from ICCN, IGCP and other local organisations (SEPRONA, UWAKI, ADPBL,
PAL/AGIR, PEVI/WWF).
Jean Claude Kyungu
Jean Claude Kyungu led an ecology NGO between 1994 and 1999. Since 1997, he has been the North-Kivu consultant on biodiversity. He headed the Tayna Gorilla Reserve and is now Project Manager for the Mt. Tshiabirimu Gorilla Project.
From left to right: Mwami Muhindo Mukosasenge, Celestin
Kataliko (RGT administration), Jacques (secretary of the chefferie), Vusu
(trainer for rangers), Jean Claude Kyungu