By John Lukas | President
Closing Down Illegal Mines Protects Okapi Habitat
As Okapi Conservation Project agronomists and educators continue programs on ending “slash and burn farming,” ICCN guards and Congolese military actively pursue illegal mining that is devastating to the Reserve's habitat.
After a three month amnesty period declared in August of 2014 by Governor Saidi of Orientale Province, a special force of ICCN guards and Congolese military has been moving through the Reserve shutting down illegally operated gold mines. To date over 20 mining camps have been evacuated with an estimated 5,000 miners moving out of camps as a result of public awareness campaigns.
ICCN guards will undertake continued surveillance of the closed gold mines to prevent the re-establishment of the mining operations and allow for regeneration of the forest. Recent surveys show that wildlife quickly returns to areas around abandoned mines once the human disturbances are removed. Monthly reconnaissance trips during the next year by ICCN patrol units are planned to prevent the mines from being reoccupied.
Progress made by the ICCN and the Congolese army to clear out armed militia, poachers and now miners is truly a remarkable achievement given the lack of government resources to impose law and order in the region. The brave actions of all those involved, and the support of all partners and OCP staff to secure the okapi wildlife reserve with a minimum impact on local communities is truly commendable.
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