In the Kabare region of South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an innovative project highlights the crucial role of indigenous and local communities in preserving biodiversity. Faced with major challenges such as human rights violations, land grabbing, and resource exploitation, these communities are finding a new voice through a unique media initiative.
This week, MKAAJI MPYA and KILALOPRESS launched a series of public radio broadcasts in Miti as part of the project “Enhancing Media Capacity to Implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” This project, supported by Internews Europe and the Earth Journalism Network, aims to empower local communities to express their concerns about environmental issues that directly affect them.
Recent broadcasts have focused on Targets 1 and 4 of the Global Biodiversity Framework and their application in the DRC. These discussions provide an essential platform for indigenous and local communities to advocate for:
- Increased recognition of their role in biodiversity conservation
- Their right to manage their ancestral territories
The broadcasts also serve as a vehicle for raising awareness about the importance of protecting local ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on Kahuzi Biega National Park. This park, known for its rich biodiversity, is directly impacted by the challenges faced by surrounding communities. This radio initiative represents a significant step towards including indigenous and local communities in the political and legal decision-making processes from which they have long been excluded. By giving them a voice, this media project helps to strengthen their capacity to preserve the biodiversity of their region.
This innovative approach underscores the importance of close collaboration between the media, local communities, and international organizations in the fight for biodiversity conservation. It offers a promising model for other regions facing similar challenges in environmental protection and indigenous community rights.
By The Editorial Team
