Mai-Ndombe: the strengthening eco-guards recommended for the protection of natural resources

Kinshasa, December 14^th, 2025 (CPA). –The strengthening eco-guards has been recommended for the protection of natural resources in Mai-Ndombe, in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a report on the activities of the Congolese Organisation of Ecologists and Friends of Nature (Ocean), a copy of which was received on Sunday by CPA. ‘For a sustainable management of natural resources in the Mangai Hippopotamus Hunting Domain and Reserve (DCRHM), the participants have recommended, in particular, to strengthen the presence of eco-guards by reopening the patrol and surveillance posts of the ICCN (Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation) in the Lukenie  to Yuki and Kangara to Indolo sectors,’ it is read. According to this report signed by Jules Mfato and Alain Shombo, respectively head of mission and programme manager at Ocean, the participants have also recommended to raise awareness among traditional authorities, local administrations and local communities (hunters and fishermen) about compliance with the hunting and fishing calendar, which in Mai-Ndombe province runs from October 1^st to January 31^st and from April 1^st to May 15^th of each year. It has been also recommended to raise awareness to hunters and fishermen about compliance with the Ministerial Decree prohibiting destructive fishing practices, as well as the implementation of alternative activities to reduce pressure on wildlife and fishery resources in order to ensure the survival of hunters and fishermen in the DCRHM. A total of 100 people, including 26 women and 74 men, have taken part in the two dialogues between the ICCN, the DCRHM Natural Resource Governance Working Group, hunting associations, fishing associations and the local administration on legal hunting and fishing, which have resulted in the signing of two memoranda of understanding for compliance with the hunting and fishing calendar in the village of Yuki, Lukenie sector and Kangara sector, Indolo Ndongo-Welo villages, the source has emphasised. Held on November 15^th and 21^st, 2025, these activities have focused on: ‘multi-stakeholder dialogues to ensure the security of the areas used by Indigenous Peoples (IPs) living in the villages of the Lukenie and Kangara sectors in the Oshwe territory in the face of illegal fishing and hunting practices that violate human rights.’