In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, families once forced to leave their lands to create Maiko National Park are now at the forefront of a new conservation success story. Leading the Bamasobha Local Community Forest Concession, they balance protecting endangered wildlife with sustaining their communities.
- Displaced families lead conservation at Maiko National Park
- Forest loss in the managed concession dropped by 87% from 2024 to 2025
- Community forest concessions offer an inclusive alternative to park exclusion
What happened
During the creation of Maiko National Park in the 1970s, indigenous families were displaced amid conflicts with park authorities who restricted traditional hunting and forest use. Decades later, descendants of these displaced communities are reclaiming their role in forest stewardship through the Bamasobha Local Community Forest Concession, a 29,000-hectare protected area under community management.
Led by Gangala Yafali Mangusa Jr., the community patrols the forest to prevent illegal hunting, logging, and mining. They developed a management plan in 2023 that creates zones for conservation and sustainable use, allowing both biodiversity protection and community livelihoods to thrive.
Why it feels good
The community-led forest concession has resulted in a dramatic drop in forest loss, from 940 hectares in 2024 to just 120 hectares in 2025. This positive change reflects how involving local people in conservation can lead to tangible environmental benefits while promoting social justice for those previously displaced.
Experts highlight that this model respects indigenous practices and extends traditional wildlife protection methods, fostering coexistence between humans and nature. It marks an important shift from exclusionary national park policies toward inclusive, community-driven forest management.
What to enjoy or watch next
Community forest concessions like Bamasobha are expanding in the DRC, with ambitious plans to create a 1-million-hectare biodiversity corridor between Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve. This corridor will involve dozens of similar community-managed forests, creating a mosaic of protected landscapes.
While challenges remain, such as insecurity and external threats, the growing network of community forest concessions offers a hopeful path for conservation in regions affected by displacement and conflict. Watching how these models evolve can provide important lessons for conservation worldwide.