Migration and Conservation in the Misotshi–Kabogo Ecosystem

The report examines how migration into the Misotshi–Kabogo ecosystem in the eastern DRC, driven by conflict and economic opportunity, is causing significant deforestation and biodiversity loss. It recommends the formal establishment of Ngamikka National Park with a zoned approach to balance conservation with local livelihood needs.

• The Misotshi–Kabogo ecosystem is a critical biodiversity area in the Albertine Rift, containing a significant population of approximately 1,500 chimpanzees and numerous endemic species, yet it currently lacks formal government protection.
• Migration into the region is primarily driven by conflict (push factor) and the attraction of fertile soils, pasturelands, and increased security (pull factors), with many migrants arriving from South Kivu province or returning from Tanzania.
• The most severe ecological impact of migration is increased deforestation, particularly within 7 kilometres of the main road, driven by bushfires used to clear land for slash-and-burn agriculture, artisanal mining, and hunting access.
• Local livelihoods are heavily dependent on natural resources, with 95% of households accessing the forest regularly; however, the lack of formal land tenure allows local chiefs to allocate land to migrants, sometimes exacerbating environmental degradation.
• To mitigate migration impacts, the report recommends establishing Ngamikka National Park using a zoning system that includes a core conservation area and a buffer faunal reserve where limited community resource access is permitted.
• The report suggests improving environmental governance through a multi-stakeholder governing board and strengthening local dispute resolution mechanisms to manage conflicts between migrant and host communities over land and resources.

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} }