Community-based reforestation of degraded areas of the Bayanga farming strip in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas (APDS)
The association works for the social, economic and cultural well-being of the Pygmies: awareness raising and training on human rights; schooling, literacy, and health education in the Pygmy environment; forest governance and community rights; advocacy and lobbying for the recognition of their rights.
An initiative of House of the Pygmy Child and Woman (MEFP)
Overview of the project
This initiative is justified by the coming of industrial logging from 1970 to 2014: all were attractive to the surrounding population of other towns in search of the jobs offered by these loggers, when they became operational in the commune of Bayanga. This is how we are witnessing a human tide that is increasing the number of the population made-up of the Sangha-Sangha and the Akas (pygmies).
Despite the status of the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas (DSAs), the DSAs face certain problems that endanger the protection of fauna and flora, leading to climatic disruption. Awareness-raising of the population does not always provide a satisfactory solution, as a migrant population arrives continuously, and alternative measures are not proposed to them in place of their environmental devastation activities. Unsustainable practices around the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas are factors in soil degradation, deforestation and climate change. In the face of these threats it is therefore important to restore habitats destroyed by human activities.
To contribute to the maintenance of ecological balance, restore soil fertility, and promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities and indigenous peoples.
Ongoing research
06/15/2021 - 04/25/2022
This project is being funded after the ascertainment of the degradation of the farming strip in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas (DSA). We made a proposal to our partners WWF Germany who agreed to finance the project in order to guarantee biological diversity and the fight against climate change.
About the
organisation
organisation
The House of the Pygmy Child and Woman (Maison de l’Enfant et de la Femme Pygmée – MEFP) is a non-profit civil society organisation (CSO) working in various fields for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples with the aim of preserving biodiversity in a sustainable manner: their survival depends on it. We have a coordination office in Bangui but also bases in the prefecture of Ombella Mpoko, Lobaye, Sangha Mbaere.
Our activities are focused on environmental protection, food security and livelihoods, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
A project
in collaboration
in collaboration