Micro hydro power plant gives light to Kasugho, Democratic Republic of the Congo The Jane Goodall Institute Dr Katalin Csatadi The Jane Goodall Institute Hungary
The Jane Goodall Institute Dr Jane Goodall, DBE – best known for her groundbreaking chimpanzee research Founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 for Wildlife research Conservation Education
JGI in Africa Research, conservaton and education activities in Guinea Gabon Republic of Congo Tanzania Uganda Democratic Republic of Congo South Africa Egypt
JGI in the DRC GOAL: to attain sustainable local development in targeted development zones, which in turn will ultimately contribute to conservation results in community reserves Since 2005 conservation and education projects have been carried out
Introduction to „Landscape 10” Consortium for managing the landscape
Landscape 10 Overview Globally important biodiversity hotspot, many endemic species, with key species of forest elephant, chimpanzee and gorilla 90% of Eastern Lowland Gorilla range 80% of intact forest 100,000 sq km
Threats to Landscape 10 Insecurity Extreme poverty Illegal mining Illegal hunting Charcoal extraction Conversion of forests for agriculture and livestock
Kasugho Approximately people In the 1990’s residents had to flee to avoid armed groups After 2003 security improved people returned without any economic support Consequently employing unsustainable agricultural practises Shift and burn agriculture Cultivating on steep hill sides Overharvesting firewood
The Challange The DRC is located within the second largest tropical forest in t he world with an abundance of natural resources, 60 million inhabitants are among the poorest in the world and 40 million of DRC’s inhabitants live in rural areas and depend on the resources the forest provides the sustainable management of the country’s forests, and strategic use of forest resources will be the key to fut ure economic development
DRC-CCC (Communty Centred Conservation) Program Program Goal again: Sustainable local development in targeted zones, which will contribute to conservation results in community reserves
Micro-Hydro Electric Power Plant in Kasugho village Community participation – 200 villagers helped Community members were selected for management community Local engineers were employed 35kw of electricity Promoting sustainable energy and income generating activities Health projects, education, dissemination, jobs Supporting Economic Growth
Before JGI presence local people had absolutely no access to healthcare Clinic rehabilitation –First point of family planning – provision and education –Training of Health Care Providers –Monitoring and supervisory visits Implementing a Health Program
Education Kasugo University for Conservation and Rural Developme nt –Locally founded –3 years degree in conservation biology –The first graduates were the local leaders sons and daughters –After they inherit the reponsibilities of their parents – they will be able to implement what they learnt –Extras: Radio station 28-bed clinic Laboratory Operation room
Dissemination University Radio Station –Conservation –Politics –Music –Culture –Women and family issues Crucially important for spreading information of the above issues
Income generating activities Night shops Mills Late evening local market Haircutting salons Cinema Dancing club
Lessons Learnt What does the electricity do in the rainforest? – Alternative! Only a small fracture of JGI’s work in Eastern DRC JGI will soon be able to measure the real impact of the micro-hydro power plant and how it changes the lives of people Shows how efforts to achieve a sustainable local development can help promoting a better lifestyle that ultimately leads to better conservation
Thank You JGI USA, JGI Canada and JGI Australia USAID UGADEC Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Conservation International