The Congo Biotropical Institute (CBI) is an environmental association focused on preserving the health of tropical ecosystems through the safeguarding of biodiversity. To achieve their goals the CBI values the involvement of local communities and indigenous peoples in the process of conservation of wild biodiversity, through community participation in the management of natural resources.
The Congo Biotropical Institutes objective is to contribute to the preservation of the biodiversity of community rainforests in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the countries of the Congo Basin. By working with local communities which, in most cases, are the traditional owners of these lands, the CBI can utilise and embrace traditional practices and knowledge to enable indigenous people to benefit from the natural forest resources, whilst ensuring the protection of biodiversity and the fight against global warming.
Their mission includes safeguarding all species, fauna and flora, including species not classified or not protected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, species that, however, play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
The Congo Biotropical Institute believes that the involvement of local communities in the process of preserving their ecosystems is paramount which is reflected in their main areas of work…
- Conserving the biological diversity of tropical forests, fighting global warming and forest degradation, through community forestry and awareness of sustainable development, with a focus on training, education and awareness in young people.
- Conducting scientific research to inform and improve biodiversity conservation practices.
- Promoting the sustainable use of natural resources through training and awareness.
- Educating young community members on the protection and conservation of biodiversity in their local environments.
The Congo Biotropical Institute has recently launched a new project to survey two previously undocumented field sites in the Tshuapa and North Kivu provinces of the DRC.
In these two territories, activities are aimed at protecting endangered species, including chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, pangolins, Congo peacocks, okapis, forest buffaloes etc, including species not classified or protected by the IUCN red list. As part of this work teams of forest monitors, from local communities, are set up and work daily for the surveillance and protection of threatened species, identifying the location and the destruction of traps installed in the conservation area by hunters and poachers.
Wilder International is supporting these efforts by partnering with the Congo Biotropical Institute on our camera trap monitoring program supported by Nature Spy. As part of this collaboration Wilder International facilitates camera traps and other equipment to the Congo Biotropical Institute to aid in their surveillance work. Wilder International have also provided the team with field wear as part of our collaboration with primates SOS and look forward to becoming more involved in their conservation efforts in the DRC.