Biodiversity conservation by indigenous peoples in APAC Kisimbosa-Chamakasa
Solución completa
Dense forests along the Luhoho River in Kisimbosa-Chamakasa
ANAPAC-RDC
Kisimbosa-Chamakasa is one of the main APACs supported by ANAPAC in the DRC, with a view to conserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems through traditional methods and practices, and preserving cultural and spiritual values. APAC Kisimbosa-Chamakasa, secured under CFCL status, is located in the Bakano groupement, Walikale territory, North Kivu province. With a total surface area of 5572.57 ha, this territory of indigenous Pygmy peoples has been granted the status of local community forest concession (CFCL) by an Arrêté of the Provincial Governor allocating a forest concession to the local community of Bambuti Babuluko in the Bakano sector, Walikale territory. Kisimbosa-Chamakasa thus makes a major contribution to in situ biodiversity conservation through the traditional use of natural resources based on customary rules and practices.
Last update: 30 Sep 2025
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Contexto
Défis à relever
The rules and practices observed in the Kisimbosa-Chamakasa APAC make it possible to meet a number of challenges. On the environmental front, it should be noted that the area is faced with uncontrolled entry by members of neighboring communities for hunting and fishing purposes, which puts a strain on wildlife and fishery resources; non-compliance with hunting and fishing regulations by some community members, and the use of unsuitable fishing equipment, notably imported mosquito nets. Regulating the use of resources in the traditional way, and ensuring that everyone has access to the various benefits associated with site management, makes an enormous contribution to improving the socio-economic fabric of indigenous and local populations.
Ubicación
Walikale, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
West and Central Africa
Procesar
Summary of the process
The simple management plan has made it possible to set out the traditional methods of land use and resource extraction. The planning of activities and major decisions on land use and resource management are made through a community assembly bringing together representatives of all families holding land rights.
Building Blocks
Secure land tenure for the site by obtaining CFCL status
To secure its land tenure, the Kisimbosa-Chamakasa site was granted the status of a local community forest concession (CFCL) by Governor's Order N°01/223/CAB/GP-NK/2019 of April 11, 2019 allocating a forest concession to the local community of Bambuti Babuluko in the Bakano sector, Walikale territory.
Enabling factors
Modalities for land use and resource extraction are traditional and defined in the site's simple management plan. The few disputes linked to site management or access to resources are managed within the Barza by the college of old customary elders, empowered to apply customary sanctions. The local management committee and the monitoring and evaluation committee are responsible for the day-to-day management and monitoring of the site.
Lesson learned
Obtaining the status of a local community forest concession (CFCL) has enabled APAC to secure land tenure.
Organization of cultural fairs and community assemblies
As an indigenous and community heritage area, Kisimbosa-Chamakasa benefits from a form of governance by indigenous peoples and local communities, in an inclusive and traditional way. Ballets and cultural fairs are regularly organized to showcase works of art, traditional dances and more. The community also has a museum for conserving cultural values and programs for passing on cultural knowledge to younger generations (Child-Nature program), etc.
Enabling factors
Through these cultural fairs, community members promote the main cultural attributes present in the Kisimbosa-Chamakasa area. These attributes include mountains, streams and sacred trees. The cultural and spiritual values of nature around the various attributes include the traditional circumcision of young boys in areas set aside for this purpose, periodic communion with the ancestors, traditional rites and cultural dances, etc.
Lesson learned
Organizing cultural fairs helps to promote cultural and spiritual values in the area.
Impacts
The traditional management of the Kisimbosa-Chamakasa site brings many benefits to local and indigenous communities. As part of the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, access to resources is based on traditional family practices. In addition to access to natural resources, community members benefit from other advantages such as schooling for their children, thanks to support from local development partners, and representation of the site in various community forums. Decisions concerning the various beneficiaries are taken by the community members represented on the site's management bodies. Rights holders actively participate in all decision-making. These include decisions such as those relating to the management and planning of activities at site level, decisions concerning succession and replacement in management bodies, etc.
Beneficiaries
The management method applied to the site benefits several types of stakeholder, including members of the indigenous and local communities, technical and financial partners, researchers, members of civil society, etc.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
Story
Kisimbosa-Chamakasa is one of the main Living Areas and Territories of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (APAC) supported by ANAPAC, for the conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems through traditional methods and practices, and the preservation of cultural and spiritual values. APAC Kisimbosa-Chamakasa, secured under CFCL status, is located in the Bakano groupement, Walikale territory, North Kivu province. With a total area of 5572.57 ha, this territory of indigenous Pygmy peoples was granted CFCL status under the support of the PIDEP organization and the CREF Network, by Governor's Order N°01/223/CAB/GP-NK/2019 of April 11, 2019 allocating a forest concession to the Bambuti Babuluko local community in the Bakano sector, Walikale territory. The Bambuti Babuluko local community forest concession, named KISIMBOSA CHAMAKASA, was allocated to the Bambuti Babuluko through its customarily appointed representatives as part of the implementation of the Community Forests promotion project in the DRC.
Most of the Kisimbosa terroir is made up of primary forests on dry land and forests established on hydromorphic soil, home to swamp forests crossed by small or large watercourses. Located in the central Congolese basin, the vegetation of Kisimbosa is characterized by dense evergreen rainforests typical of the humid tropical zone, with species such as Cynometra hankei, Pycnanthus angolens, Entandrophragma angolense, Afzelia bella, Maesopsis eminii, Ricinodendron heudelotii, etc. (CFCL Kisimbosa-Chamakasa inventory report). In its current configuration, the Kisimbosa-Chamakasa CFCL is drained by several rivers, including the Luhoo and part of the Nyanzila. The former flows into the Lowa River, a tributary of the Congo River. Fishing grounds in the interior are mainly made up of small rivers such as Lupupu, Idambo, Makwangwala, Nguba, Bilelelele, Namakwa and others. Wetlands and swamps also abound in key resources. Animal species found in the CFCL Kisimbosa area include leopard, chimpanzee, black antelope, gazelle, monkey, baboon and porcupine.
