ivindo-impact

 

  • Displacement: No physical displacements have been reported. Local and indigenous communities live around the park and have previously used camps within the park for their livelihood activities, principally for fishing (Eisen et al. 2010; Meye OBiang 2011). However, they now have extremely limited access to the park for their livelihoods activities (RFUK 2016: 92).
  • Diminished livelihoods: According to a zoning plan, fishing is permitted in specific parts of the park (Eisen et al. 2010). However, it now appears to be restricted to one area: Bessaboka, where five villages all have to fish, leading to overfishing and declining stocks. (Conservation Watch 2016). Overall, restrictions on local communities regarding fishing, hunting and gathering means that they have not only less to eat, but also less surplus (particularly fish) to sell and therefore fewer resources to pay, for instance, for their children’s education and healthcare (RFUK 2016; and see participatory maps of livelihood activities in this area on Mapping for Rights.)
  • Conflicts: Conflicts between parks managers and local people have been widely reported, especially harassment, confiscation of game and arrests (Sassen & Wan 2006). Human-elephant conflicts are also widespread and are enhancing local communities’ negative perceptions of the park (RFUK 2016: 93).
  • Reported human rights abuses: Local communities report abuses by eco-guards, including arbitrary arrests and cruel punishment (RFUK 2016; Conservation Watch 2016).
  • Income generating activities: Available reports indicate that some local people have been employed to work on conservation projects, including for research and eco-tourism (Sassen & Wan 2006). But apart from some very intermittent work, eco-tourism schemes have provided few benefits for local people (RFUK 2016: 92). While eco-tourists visit the Kongou Falls, local communities are not allowed in this traditionally sacred area, an situation that has enhanced negative feelings towards the park (RFUK 2016: 92).
  • Presence of indigenous peoples: Some Baka communities live in the area.
  • Prior consultation: Local and indigenous communities were not consulted regarding the creation of Ivindo National Park (Sassen & Wan 2006; Eisen et al. 2010). Villagers surveyed by RFUK unanimously stated that they felt that the decision about the park was imposed on them (RFUK 2016: 92)
  • Participation and consultation:  local communities have repeatedly stated that they are not involved in management decisions (Sassen & Wan 2006; Eisen et al. 2010; RFUK 2016). In the late 2000’s the Gabonese government set up a dialogue mechanism to involve communities and other stakeholders in park management (Comité consultatif de gestion locale). It has been under preparation for at least five years but as of April 2016 it was still not operational.