Waters and Swampy forests of the Lac Tumba Landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo Importance and stakes of Conservation Biodiversity and implications for local populations

Surface: 80,000 km2 Altitude: 300 – 340m Rainfall: 1700 – 2300mm/an Temperature: 25C Bio-physical Attributes Socio-cultural Attributes Tribes: 32, y compris Human Density: 6 – 24 ind/km2 Demographic Growth: 3.8%/an Composition: 10 membres/menage Villages and camping sites: 230 villages and permanent camps

Wetland: 60 – 65%Terre ferme: 30 – 35% Forest savannah-Mosaic Habitat Classes km km2

Biodiversity Mammals: 53 identifies Fishes: 1500 identifies Birds: > 100 especes

Over inhabitants draw their livelihood from the swampy forests of Lac Tumba

But in excesses…and with unstustainable means.

Waters and swamps of Lac Tumba feed major towns such as Kinshasa ( inhabitants)

Major economic Stakes for the RDC Central Africa and Africa

But, the nature, and human action …are taking a huge toll

The Waters of the Congo are declining!!

Lac Tumba

Kinshasa

Luki

How to deal with these challenges? Preservation of waters and swampy forests

International Action - Ramsar Convention and other mecanisms Insert water and swampy forests among natural resources that need specific attention from national, regional and international levels. Legally recognized by different nations Delineate sites with multiple purposes Management plans for each of these zones Adopt an international process of evaluating the execution of those plans