Improve local traditional knowledge and practices in nature conservation. Adapt this knowledge to environmental challenges and issues by building the capacity of local populations – especially youth – through participation in scientific research and practical training. This, in order to better know to better protect the local tropical ecosystems.
Our approach should allow local communities (indigenous peoples) to benefit from the natural forest resources while intervening in the protection of biodiversity and fighting against global warming.
Through our approach and the implementation of our mission and objectives, our actions allow us to :
a). Promote alternative solutions to forest products.
Recognizing that community rainforests are a source of survival products for local people living in and around them, building materials, medical products and food, as well as economic resources, it is difficult to conserve these forests in an intact and sustainable manner without making available and accessible alternative means of forest products on which local communities and/or indigenous peoples depend
b). Tropical medicinal gardening.
Thus, training sessions in the cultivation of medicinal plants are organized, followed by the distribution of medicinal plant seeds to be offered to local community members.
This aspect is part of improving the health well-being of local communities. In addition, modern community care centers could be established in our intervention areas to limit encroachment on conservation areas.
c). Scientific research and traditional knowledge
Combine the results of scientific research with traditional customary knowledge in order to create and propose appropriate solutions or alternatives that result in tangible actions. Here, the goal is to better understand in order to better protect tropical ecosystems and to better act by combining scientific knowledge and vernacular knowledge.
Thanks to different partners, Congo Biotropical Institute intervenes in :
– the creation of conservation areas of a community nature,
– the creation of conservation areas of a community nature,
– collaboration with existing stations for the practical training of young people in the study of tropical ecosystems and their components.
– the establishment of wildlife care centers – which remains an important aspect of wildlife health welfare.
These aspects contribute to the acquisition of knowledge for the benefit of local populations. They also create jobs at the local level, thus helping to reduce unemployment and poverty while preserving nature.
d). Promote sustainable agriculture and fight against deforestation
The socio-economic challenge is one of the multiple obstacles to be taken into account in the community conservation system by local communities living in or around the tropical forests of Congo.
While limiting repetitive and devastating deforestation, perennial agriculture (and/or agroforestry) contributes to the improvement of the socio-economic situation of local populations.
Sustainable agriculture also contributes to the fight against global warming by maintaining forests. It is also an effective fight against poverty at the local level because it generates economic income for farmers at all levels.
Several plant species that are cultivated – and whose products are marketed – are perfectly adapted to forest trees, thus offering an opportunity to develop agroforestry around the tropical forests of Congo. It is of primary importance to develop this aspect because, in addition to playing an important role in improving social conditions by boosting the economic situation of local populations, it also preserves wild biodiversity on a considerable scale.
e). Working locally with children and youth
The aim is to inculcate rational values in children and youth – through awareness in schools and youth associations. The aim is to prepare them to become more involved in nature conservation and the fight against global warming.
Within the framework of financial support, Congo Biotropical Institute intervenes in the search for scholarships for young people who wish to get involved in schools related to: forestry, agroforestry, ecology and the environment. It is a way to train the next generations of Africans who will take over in the years to come.
Indeed, today it is necessary to fight more effectively against forest degradation, while intervening in the socio-economic and health well-being of African populations.
It is also a question of providing students with practical means that will allow them to put to good use the theoretical subjects learned on the benches of the school.
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