Title: The looting of Virunga Park resources: a cry of alarm for the environment
Introduction :
The Parc des Virunga, located in the territory of Rutshuru in North Kivu, is a site of incredible ecological and heritage importance. However, for several years, this jewel of nature has been the victim of incessant looting by armed groups. In this article, we will discuss the recent accusation by fourteen environmental organizations against the M23 and other local armed groups. They are accused of poaching, carbonization, wood and charcoal trafficking, as well as animal trafficking, endangering the biodiversity of this exceptional region.
The growing concern of environmental organizations:
Organizations such as Innovation for Development and Environmental Protection (IDPE), the Center for Research on the Environment, Democracy and Human Rights (CREDHO) or Congolese Alert for the Environment and Human Rights (ACEDH) are sounding the alarm. According to them, the situation of Virunga Park is increasingly worrying since the involvement of M23. The Center and South sectors of the park, particularly in the territories of Rutshuru and Nyiragongo, have become areas not controlled by eco-guards and park managers. Conservation activities have been stopped for more than a year, which increases the risk of destruction of the fragile ecosystem of this region.
A call to action and protection of Virunga Park:
Faced with this critical situation, environmental organizations are calling for urgent and effective intervention to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Virunga Park. They call on the Head of State to include, in his diplomatic actions, the need to protect this place of inestimable value. In addition, they demand the establishment of a joint investigation involving the East African Community (EAC), the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to suppress these environmental crimes and war crimes.
Conclusion :
The looting of resources in Virunga Park by the M23 and other local armed groups poses a threat not only to the biodiversity of this region, but also to the entire global environment. The fourteen environmental organizations are sounding the alarm and calling for urgent action to put an end to these illegal activities. It is essential to protect this exceptional natural heritage in order to preserve the ecological and cultural richness that it represents. It is therefore time to act to guarantee a sustainable future for the Virunga National Park and for the whole planet.