The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, has taken a monumental step towards environmental conservation by signing into law the creation of Community Protected Areas and launching the Green Corridor Project in Kivu-Kinshasa. This groundbreaking decision, announced on December 31, 2024, through a series of ordinances broadcasted on the Radio Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC), marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to nature preservation.
A New Approach to Conservation
The newly promulgated law, numbered 24/020 dated December 30, 2024, amends and supplements the existing law 14/003 from February 11, 2014, concerning nature conservation. Championed before the Parliament by Ève Bazaiba, Minister of State for Environment and Sustainable Development, this legislation introduces a novel category of “protected area with a community reserve focus.” Its primary aim is to establish a legal framework for areas that integrate biodiversity with human activities, fostering a harmonious coexistence between nature and communities.
Key Modifications
According to the law’s first article, several provisions of the 2014 legislation have been altered:
– A “protected area” is defined as a clearly delineated geographical space managed to preserve nature and ecosystems.
– A “protected area with a community reserve focus” allows for ecological, socio-economic, and cultural activities while safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
– These areas do not impose any restrictions or obligations until a specific territorial designation is defined.
The Green Corridor Project
The primary objective of this legal framework is to pave the way for the Green Corridor Project in Kivu-Kinshasa, aiming to establish a community protected area spanning over half a million square kilometers. This initiative positions the DRC as a global leader in combating climate change. Presented during the 24th meeting of the Council of Ministers in Kalemie in November 2024, the project includes stabilizing key areas like Beni (North Kivu) and the southern Ituri region, where the ADF Islamists continue to perpetrate massacres.
The initial phase focuses on the area from Beni to Kisangani (national road n°4) and from Kisangani to Kinshasa (Congo River basin). Additionally, the project aims to bolster the green economy in the DRC in alignment with the Paris Agreement commitments. President Tshisekedi has urged the government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to implement tax incentives to ensure the project’s success and facilitate effective collaboration among the relevant ministries and services.
Clément MUAMBA
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Humanizing Touch:
Imagine a lush, vibrant forest teeming with life, where the air is crisp and clean, and the sounds of nature fill your ears. This is the vision that Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi is striving to bring to life through the creation of Community Protected Areas and the Green Corridor Project in Kivu-Kinshasa. By taking this bold step towards environmental conservation, Tshisekedi is not only safeguarding the natural world for future generations but also ensuring that local communities can thrive in harmony with their surroundings.
As we reflect on the importance of preserving our planet’s precious ecosystems, let us ask ourselves: What role can each of us play in protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development initiatives like the Green Corridor Project? Whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, supporting local conservation efforts, or advocating for stronger environmental policies, we all have a part to play in creating a more sustainable and environmentally conscious world. Let’s join hands with President Tshisekedi and take a stand for a greener, healthier planet for all.