Elephants in Virunga National Park devastate agricultural fields: population calls for protection measures
In the localities of the Ruwenzori sector, in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the inhabitants are confronted with an unexpected problem: elephants from Virunga National Park are devastating their agricultural fields. The New Civil Society of the Beni territory is sounding the alarm in the face of this destruction which is seriously impacting the livelihood of local populations.
For two weeks, the pachyderms have settled in the towns of Mantumbi, Mayele, Kiaviringo and Nyavithanda, located a few kilometers from the rural town of Bulongo. The population, in despair, seeks the intervention of the authorities of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) in order to put in place protective measures for their fields.
The coordinator of the New Civil Society of Beni, Meleki Mulala, pleads in favor of the peasants, pointing out the impossibility of setting up electric barriers to prevent elephants from accessing the fields. He therefore asks the ICCN to organize teams to repel these devastating animals.
The ICCN, contacted by Radio Okapi, has not responded to these requests for the moment. The situation therefore remains worrying for farmers who see their livelihoods disappear under the footsteps of elephants.
This issue highlights the issues of cohabitation between rural populations and wildlife. While Virunga National Park is famous for its rich biodiversity, it is essential to find sustainable solutions to avoid human-wildlife conflicts.
The protection of agricultural fields is a crucial issue in ensuring food security for local populations. It is therefore essential that the competent authorities take adequate measures to protect crops and find peaceful solutions to preserve both the interests of farmers and the conservation of wildlife