Social participation

Continuing on the same pattern as in the previous publication in the series, La Réserve de Conkouati, Congo : le secteur sud-est, the author has been coordinating activities of forests, wetlands and environmental impact assessment programmes around the Conkouati lagoon, which is of great interest to local Vili populations. This part of southern Congo has proved to be the richest in mammal populations and included a wide variety of ecosystems.

IUCN has undertaken the first in-depth biological inventory of the south-east part of this reserve. This study gives a socio-economic picture of the local population, the Vilis, the Loumbous and the Pigmees Ibongo. Information is provided on higher plants, mammals and birds encountered, and lists are given of local food and magico-medicinal plants used by the local population.

Nineteen papers examine the importance of the region’s wetlands resources and the critical conservation issues faced.