A massive new protected area in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – equal to the size of France – has so far failed to include Indigenous people and local communities in its design, and appears to be a tool to promote trade rather than safeguard nature, environmentalists have warned.
Last month at the World Economic Forum (WEF), DRC President Felix Tshisekedi announced the creation of a 2,600 km-long “Green Corridor” stretching from Virunga National Park in the conflict-torn eastern region of North Kivu through the vast forests of Ituri and the Congo River to Kinshasa in the southwest and the Atlantic coast.
According to WEF, the reserve will form the world’s largest protected forest area, also a vital carbon sink as part of the Congo Basin, whose trees absorb and store planet-heating carbon dioxide.
“This project aims to protect some of the most intact tropical forests on the planet, while preserving extraordinary biodiversity, including some iconic species that are very unique to the Congo Basin, ” Tshisekedi said. “DRC is on the way to becoming a global model, proving that economic prosperity and environmental protection can go hand in hand.”
The project will facilitate the transportation of commodities, strengthen agricultural value chains and advance sustainable development in the resource-rich country, he added.
But Indigenous and local groups in eastern DRC told Climate Home they have no idea how the flagship project – slated to safeguard more than 540,000 km² of tropical forest – will be implemented, and fear it could impinge on their land.
“As native peoples, we know nothing,” said Kapupu Diwa Mutimanwa, president of the League of Indigenous Pygmy Associations of Congo. “We have not been consulted about this project – nor have local communities, people that own the land where it will take place been contacted in advance”.
He expressed concern that the project could spark tensions on the ground. “As Indigenous peoples, we might say to the authorities that we do not want this project passing through our cemeteries, as we do not know how it will be operationalised,” he said.
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Greenpeace Africa said the project, partly funded by the European Union, could perpetuate neo-colonialism, and so far lacks an inclusive approach as it has not respected the principle of gaining buy-in from affected local communities during the planning stage.
Other supporters include Grameen Bank, the Schmidt Family Foundation and the WEF’s 1t.org initiative.
President Tshisekedi has promised that the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor will revitalise the country’s economy, strengthen communities and promote lasting peace in eastern Congo. The region has recently seen Rwandan-backed M23 rebels make significant advances while reportedly committing atrocities on the civilian population.
Map showing DRC’s Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor (Fanis Kollias)
The government hopes the project will improve the lives of 31 million people.