Healing the Rift Peacebuilding in and around protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Albertine Rift

This report details a 27-month pilot project using a conflict-sensitive approach to conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Albertine Rift. By implementing participatory mapping, multi-stakeholder monitoring committees, and dialogue-based resolution strategies, the project achieved reductions in illegal fishing in Virunga National Park and illegal woodcutting in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. It also established a collaborative framework for the creation of the Itombwe Reserve and the proposed Ngamika National Park in Misotshi-Kabogo. The findings emphasize that while dialogue and awareness are critical, long-term sustainability requires addressing root causes like poverty through alternative livelihoods and securing political and military support.

• The project implemented a conflict-sensitive conservation (CSC) approach to reduce illegal fishing on Lake Edward in Virunga National Park. This involved creating monitoring committees in the villages of Kyavinyonge, Vitshumbi, and Nyakakoma, which led to a reduction in illegal fishing and improved fish quality, with average fish weight increasing from 750g–900g in November 2007 to 900g–1,600g by March 2010.
• In Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the project focused on the Bugobe Community Conservation Committee (CCC) to address illegal woodcutting. By using participatory planning, capacity building in negotiation, and awareness campaigns, the project restored the CCC's credibility and led 522 woodcutters in the Bugobe area to abandon illegal cutting between November 2007 and March 2010.
• The creation of the Itombwe Reserve was initially marked by conflict because the 2006 ministerial decree was made without consulting local communities and lacked clear boundaries. WCS facilitated a dialogue process between international NGOs (including the Rainforest Foundation, WWF, and WCS) and ICCN, resulting in an agreement to use participatory mapping to define conservation, multiple-use, and development zones.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). Healing the Rift Peacebuilding in and around protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Albertine Rift. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/healing_the_rift_congo.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Healing the Rift Peacebuilding in and around protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Albertine Rift. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/healing_the_rift_congo.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Healing the Rift Peacebuilding in and around protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Albertine Rift |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/healing_the_rift_congo.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndhealing, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Healing the Rift Peacebuilding in and around protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Albertine Rift}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/healing_the_rift_congo.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }