DRC: Gemena becoming no-animal zone
The north-western DR Congo city of Gemena is the second largest town of the Equateur province after Mbanda. The town is witnessing a post-war economic growth and business in various sectors is prospering.However, while humans tend to develop themselves economically, they seem to be creating a no-animal zone.
A great portion of the Equateur province is covered by rain forests and savannah that are exploited not at all. Hunting in this area is still an economic and cultural activity for local populations, and the smoked bush meat is still the favorite meal for most of people. The population active in hunting is estimated at 20 percent Gemena inhabitants.
Former regime wildlife-friendly
Under president Mobutu’s authoritarian administration, the law prohibited anarchic hunting. During the 2-year civil war that ended with the ousting of Mobutu in May 1997, wildlife was adversely affected as animals were killed massively by rebels and government fighters, all equipped with modern high-precision and far-reaching firearms. No protection was possible as everybody, including the authorities had to run away to safety.
Bush meat is among the three most consumed food items in Gemena together with fresh/smoked fish and cassava. It is sold everywhere either by market meat sellers or by roving basin-carrying or bike-riding sellers.
The most shocking thing is that in the 80s, there were animals living close to the city of Gemena which cannot be found anymore in less than 50-60 kilometer away from the city. They included gorillas and many other sorts of monkey. Despite that discouraging distance, hunters keep killing those animals, ignoring that they will shortly end up exterminating them, thereby putting an end to their hunting career.
Where are environmentalists? Authorities?
The actions of the rare environmentalists are invisible as they produce no effects, not to talk of those of the government, which seems to have other “man-related” preoccupations. Authorities make no effort to check the hunting licenses, which would slow down the extermination process. In the 80s, many arrests of elephant hunters and ivory traders were recorded, but now killing an elephant and selling and selling ivory has ceased to be a crime.
Urgent action needed
There is an urgent need on the part of government authorities to gradually educate the population about the danger of having no animal at all in their surroundings, including the fact that in a few years, their children will have no privilege to enjoy meat as there will be no animal to hunt.
Paradoxically, when you talk to hunters and local bush meat consumers, you realize that they are ware of the ongoing extermination process, to which they are contributing. They all know that their country has a wide variety of animals and admit that their children haven’t yet seen those animals as they have all run away for a safer place.
Hunting economy
In the past, hunting used to be a big revenue-generating activity, but now, the hunters sell their games for basic household items such as soap and salt. At the same time, bush meat is becoming scarce as hunters have to walk days or weeks in across the forest in search for surviving animals.
On the other hand, consumers too have to walk long distances, especially to hinters’ camps, in search of cheaper. It has even become a kind of business because tose coming back from the bush with cheaper meat resell it to Gemena people and make profit. About 30 percent of Gemena people are said to be involved in this business in one way or another.
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Maria Assumpta Nyirinono
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Lid sinds July 2007
Amsterdam
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