Migration and Conservation in the Misotshi–Kabogo Ecosystem

This report assesses the drivers and ecological impacts of human migration within the Misotshi–Kabogo ecosystem in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It highlights the tension between increasing population pressures—driven by conflict and economic opportunity—and the need to protect a highly biodiverse, currently unprotected region. The authors recommend the formal establishment of Ngamikka National Park with a zoned resource-use system to balance conservation with local livelihood needs.

• The Misotshi–Kabogo ecosystem is a critical biodiversity hotspot in the lower Albertine Rift, containing a 1,000 km2 block of rainforest known as Kabobo Forest and supporting approximately 1,500 chimpanzees, as well as populations of bongo and colobus monkeys.
• Migration into the region is driven by a combination of push factors, primarily conflict and instability, and pull factors including fertile soils, productive fisheries, increased security, and family reunification.
• The most severe ecological impact of migration is increased deforestation, primarily caused by the introduction of slash-and-burn agriculture, bushfires, and to a lesser extent, illegal small-scale mining and logging.
• The ecosystem currently lacks formal government protection, though a process to establish Ngamikka National Park is underway. This proposed park would feature a core conservation area and a buffer zone to allow local communities continued access to some forest resources.
• Local livelihoods are heavily dependent on natural resources, with 95% of households accessing the forest for construction materials, fuel wood, and medicinal plants, contributing 4 to 7% of total household income.
• The report recommends a multi-pronged response strategy: formally gazetting Ngamikka National Park, launching awareness campaigns against slash-and-burn agriculture, strengthening environmental governance through a multi-stakeholder board, and developing alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on the forest.

APA

Crawford, A., & Kujirakwinja, D. (2016). Migration and Conservation in the Misotshi–Kabogo Ecosystem. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/migration-conservation-misotshi-kabogo-ecosystem.pdf

Chicago

Crawford, Alec, and Deo Kujirakwinja. Migration and Conservation in the Misotshi–Kabogo Ecosystem. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2016. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/migration-conservation-misotshi-kabogo-ecosystem.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Crawford |first1=Alec |last2=Kujirakwinja |first2=Deo |title=Migration and Conservation in the Misotshi–Kabogo Ecosystem |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=January 2016 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/migration-conservation-misotshi-kabogo-ecosystem.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{crawford2016migration, author = {Crawford, Alec and Kujirakwinja, Deo}, title = {{Migration and Conservation in the Misotshi–Kabogo Ecosystem}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2016}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/migration-conservation-misotshi-kabogo-ecosystem.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }