The DG of ICCN, Mr. Yves Milan Ngangay, arrived in Bukavu on Friday, February 17, 2023 for a series of meetings and discussions related not only to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a World Heritage Site, but also to other protected areas in South Kivu (Itombwe Nature Reserve, Ngandja Wildlife Reserve, Luama-Kivu Hunting Area). Upon arrival in Bukavu, the Director General met with the Provincial Governor, Mr. Theo Ngwabidje Kasi, and the Commander of the 33rd Military Region, Mr. Yav Avul Ngola Robert.
Several issues will be addressed during his stay in South Kivu. These include a visit to provincial authorities, analysis of the progress and weaknesses of the PNKB in terms of management, opportunities for developing sustainable tourism and the state of protected areas in South Kivu.
The KBNP team is welcoming the visit of General Director Yves Milan Ngangay who gave his vision “to turn ICCN into a major economic and social development stakeholder valuing Congolese biodiversity and ecosystem services". Moreover, the KBNP reaffirms its commitment to support ICCN’s mandate and the materialization of its new vision for the conservation of natural resources of the KBNP, under a rights-based conservation approach and through the involvement of local communities and indigenous peoples living around KBNP.
At the end of the General Director's mission, the Site Management team will report on the activities covered during his stay in South Kivu and the resolutions taken for the consolidation of KBNP management efforts, as well as on avenues for collaboration with the ICCN Provincial Direction in South Kivu and with other protected areas.