Participatory Land Use Planning and Food Security in the Ituri Forest Conservation Landscape, DRC

This region is a high biodiversity area for Central Africa, home to the largest remaining population of okapi, forest elephants, 17 species of primates, 10 species of forest antelope, forest buffalo, and 300 species of birds. However, the area faces significant challenges related to agricultural expansion, poaching, and land management. Population growth, driven by road construction and perceived land abundance, has led to increased land sales and social conflicts. The perceived abundance of land has attracted immigrants, exacerbating land management challenges. Additionally, zoning and land sales by local chiefs have contributed to social and institutional conflicts. To address these issues, the zoning goals for the Ituri Forest Conservation Landscape aim to meet the present and future needs of farmers and hunter-gatherers, secure prior and legitimate land and resource access claims of local residents, reconcile land use interests of different stakeholders, and establish shared vision and mechanisms for landscape management. The zoning process in the Ouli-Welle Region (OWR) began in 2000, with 55% of the area designated as forest multi-use zones for gathering and hunting. This zone allows for human subsistence activities, while 35% of the area is designated as a core conservation zone. However, several issues remain unresolved in the OWR, including the presence of snares, the cultivation of perennial crops, and the rights to felled trees. These challenges highlight the need for continued land use planning and management efforts to balance human needs with conservation goals. The zoning process in the OWR has allocated 55% of the area for forest multi-use zones, allowing for human subsistence activities. This approach aims to balance human needs with conservation goals, while also addressing the social and institutional conflicts that have arisen due to land sales and zoning. The zoning goals and allocations in the OWR are intended to meet the needs of farmers and hunter-gatherers, while also securing prior and legitimate land and resource access claims of local residents. The Ituri Forest Conservation Landscape faces significant challenges related to land management, including population growth, agricultural expansion, and poaching. To address these challenges, the zoning process in the OWR has designated 35% of the area as a core conservation zone, while allowing for human subsistence activities in 55% of the area. However, several issues remain unresolved, including the presence of snares, the cultivation of perennial crops, and the rights to felled trees. These challenges highlight the need for continued land use planning and management efforts to balance human needs with conservation goals.