26 May 2021, Bomassa, Nouabale Ndoki, Republic of Congo - Confiscated poachers rifles, snares and shotgun shells are seen in a locker at the headquarters to Nouabale Ndoki National Park. The bushmeat trade is massive in the region and is the chief protein source. Hunting in the park is illegal as is the hunting of certain endangered species on the periphery of the park.
Background information
The SWM Programme activities in Congo focus on the forest concessions that constitute the wild meat (game and fish) supply basin of the town of Ouesso. Hunting and fishing are important sources of food and income. To secure the sustainable use of wild protein by the local populations of traditional villages (indigenous and Bantu) located in these forest concessions, the project operates at three scales. The aim is to balance the supply and demand for wild meat products in 1) traditional villages, 2) secondary towns and forest camps and 3) cities. Community hunting areas overlap with logging concessions. Some of the concession are FSC certified and are working with the SWM Programme to achieve sustainable levels of hunting and prohibit the sale of wild meat.
