1.3.5. Mikeno Sector Management
Management of the Mikeno sector like the whole park in DRC has
been entrusted by the Congolese government to ICCN. To better monitor and
manage the sector, 5 posts of patrols have been installed including: Gatovu,
Bukima, Bikenge, Jomba and Gikeri park ranger outposts.
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1.3.6. Human Environment
1.3.6.1. Demographical context
As elsewhere around the Virunga National Park, the Mwaro
corridor is surrounded by a dense human population characterized by about 600
people / km2. One of the serious consequences of rapid population growth in
this region is the pressure exerted on the natural resources of the Virunga
National Park.
At Kibumba (Gikieri) for example, people cut bamboo for making
baskets, winnows and for other uses. A case recently observed during a visit of
the permanent transect, three weeks after its establishment, is the cutting of
young trees to be used as bean-stakes in the peasant bean fields. Plastic
labels on our plants had even been pulled out is some cases.
Much of the population around the Mikeno sector moved into
internal displaced camps during the recent clashes between the FARDC and the
CNDP leaving their fields fallow. Today, they are back in their gardens looking
after their crops.
1.3.6.2. Economic and Social Context
People on both sides of the Mwaro ecological corridor practise
mainly agriculture on a very fertile volcanic soil and in a climate tempered by
altitude to produce a variety of agricultural products. There exists great
potential for agricultural production of bananas, maize, sorghum, beans,
potatoes, various vegetables, various fruits such as avocado, papaya,
pineapple, orange etc. (Bashonga, 2009).
Before the war, the region produced a lot of agricultural
products, the surplus of which was sold in local markets at Rutshuru and Goma
and occasionally in Kinshasa.
The region also has a potential to support cattle breeding.
There are also small herds of goats, sheep, pigs and poultry including
chickens, ducks and turkeys. But farming has been severely affected by the war
to the point that many farmers no longer have livestock, although some may
still raise a few head of cattle on the edge of the park.
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