Land Rights for the Indigenous Pygmy Peoples and Preservation of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Eastern DR Congo: A Paradigm for Integral Conservation and the Survival of the Riparian Population

A shift towards participatory governance in managing the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is crucial for balancing conservation efforts with the land rights of indigenous Pygmy peoples. Current exclusionary practices have led to social marginalization and a lack of community interest in conservation, despite legal provisions guaranteeing local use rights. The study, conducted through documentation, focus groups, and interviews, highlights that integrating customary and traditional rights into park management could foster sustainable coexistence. While co-management principles are theoretically promoted, practical implementation remains elusive without concrete agreements with indigenous communities. Ensuring dignified survival for riparian populations requires legal and customary pluralism, addressing inequitable access to social services and securing forest resource access.

Mokoso, J. D. D. M., Cihusi, H.-P. B., Ndetshala, D. A., Mukenge, M. L., & Sefu, J. A. (2026). Land Rights for the Indigenous Pygmy Peoples and Preservation of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Eastern DR Congo: A Paradigm for Integral Conservation and the Survival of the Riparian Population. East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 9(1), 281–301. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajenr.9.1.4570