Events
Mon, 02 MarAuditorium Filmzaal, Campus Aula02 Mar 2020, 19:30 – 21:00Auditorium Filmzaal, Campus Aula, Paddenhoek 3, 9000 GentKeynotes by Peter Verlinden, prof. Cizungu (Université Catholique de Bukavu), prof. Boeckx (UGent), prof. Verheyen (UGent) & others, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Peter Verlinden. The event is followed by a reception.
Short Stay
In the fall of 2020, the CAFRINAT ITN will host a short research stay (maximum 90 days) at Ghent University to amplify the expertise on Kahuzi-Biega National Park. More news will follow soon.
The first KBNP Field School & International Workshop
In november 2020, an international workshop and a Kahuzi Biega field school will be organized in Bukavu, DR Congo.
Using the feedback received during this follow up activity a final scientific publication and vulgarizing document for wider diffusion will be made available. We hope this document will lead to a better conservation of the unique natural capital of PNKB through improved livelihoods of the local population, increased research activities, more visitors, etc.
Interviews Kahuzi-Biega National Park, November 2019
During November 25 to 28, 2019 a team of six researchers from Ghent University (Belgium), Université Catholique de Bukavu (four persons), and Institut Supérieure Pédagogique (two persons) (DR Congo) organized a field-based CAFRINAT activity. During this week we held ca. 18 interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders regarding Kahuzi-Bièga National Park (PNKB). PNKB is a ca. 6000 km2 large national park (founded in 1970) and is situated in South-Kivu in eastern DR Congo. It comprises both montane and lowland tropical forest with a large degree of endism among which the eastern lowland ‘Grauer’ gorillas. The stakeholder groups included different levels of PNKB management, park rangers, representatives of the local population living in the surroundings of PNKB (chefs de groupement, chefs de villages, chef de Pygmées), provincial ministry of tourism and environment, animal breeders, directors of local schools, research center LWIRO, MONUSCO, etc.
The information obtained from these interviews and discussions are currently being processed and will result in an actualized document describing the current perception regarding, among others, ecosystem services and values, ecotourism, threats, knowledge gaps and research needs of PNKB.
