26 May 2021, Bomassa, Nouabale Ndoki, Republic of Congo - Eco Guards for Nouabale Ndoki National Park run drills for self-defense, patrols and vehicle searches as part of their anti-poaching efforts for the park. The bushmeat trade is massive in the region and is the chief protein source. This makes their jobs difficult and being prepared is important.
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.
