SAFEGUARD AND PROTECTION OF THE ELEPHANTS CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE AS MEANS FOR DURABLE  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

           
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The OUBANGUI-CHARI  RIVER rapids,  near Bangui a natural frontier with Congo (ex-Zaïre)

 

25 % of  C.A.R. 3,5 millions inhabitants settle around Bangui, and most of the population lives in the western half of the country where natural resources (diamonds, gold, miscellaneous ores…) are more available and agriculture is more developed. In the east, wide territories are almost desert (less than 0,4 inhabitants per sq.km in the area of Yalinga – Haute Kotto).

Though French is the official language, Sango is generally used. In1965, a program of obligatory and free education was started, but through lack of teachers - and of money – it has progressively been brought down. The Ministry states that the average class counts 71 pupils, with less than 2 books for 11 pupils…

 

1.3 – AGRICULTURE

80 % of the population earns a meagre living on agriculture and breeding ( cows, goats, sheep, poultry…). But archaic techniques are still the rule: no machines, and very little use of domestic animals for ploughing or trailing. The production is mainly used for local consumption and trade, but cannot meet all needs, which is the main reason for local poaching.

 

1.4 - POACHING AND DESTRUCTIONS

Poaching can be understood as a means of survival for small local groups, but we must bear in mind that increasing hunting to the scale of an “industry” means devastation and utter destruction of wildlife. In C.A.R., up to the 80’s, hunting used to be controlled by specialists, and was dedicated to the shooting of superb trophies; it released money (shooting taxes, tourism…), local employment and a reputation without endangering the ecosystem. From the 80’s on, Sudanese rebels decided to turn to an extremely profitable activity: ivory trading. The fast rarefaction of game in theSudan pushed them towards the eastern regions of C.A.R.. Poorly manned but very rich in game, easy to reach by passing along river beds or following migration tracks, these areas became a real bonanza to these “industrialists” in game slaughtering.

 

Over less than 20 years, attacked by bands of well organized poachers, shot by machine guns, the initial population of estimated 100 000 elephants has been destroyed, so that all remaining herds known in C.A.R. hardly amounts to 2 000 / 3 000 heads. In its time, the Convention of Washington strictly regulated ivory trade. Moreover, the notification of the elephant on the lists of CITES slowed down the butchery by considerably impairing its legal channels of trade, but the poachers have simply changed targets: ivory dealers have turned into meat dealers…a meat that does not want breeding: buffaloes, all kinds of antelopes, giraffes, hippos, wild hogs… Smoked and dried up, such meat can loose up to 90 % of its weight and can easily be carried away intoSudan or sold on the way.

The human and technical means that C.A.R. can afford to fight poachers and smugglers are dramatically insufficient. And the upsetting of the ecologic balance combines with growing insecurity due to the wandering of armed bands…

The success of a project such as Doli’s in the east of C.A.R. is likely to impact the whole region. Deeply concerned in the development of this area, the C.A.R. government has granted its full support to the project from the start (mid-2004).

 

1.5 – YALINGA

 

 

2      AIMS

The action program, as foreseen from the foundation of the association, takes a large account of the technical and economic situation of C.A.R. – and more specifically of the area of Yalinga; these environmental points have already been checked locally.

Almost deserted, this magnificent region is one of the last places on earth where you can dream of creating a natural sanctuary, comparable to the ones existing inTanzania orKenya, and using it as a support for durable economic development.

Doli’s objectives will be reached with simple, sure and low cost means, using more human force than technology,

 

2.1– ACTIONS AND REACTIONS

In July2004, C.A.R. Ministry of Waters and Forests officially approved the broad lines of the project, assured us of his support, and granted us the mission of checking the presence of wildlife in the area of Yalinga. This was prior for us to any kind of action.

In July 2005, our Director, Mr. Noiret spent two months in C.A.R. with the following results:

-         re-opening of the track between Bria and Yalinga ( 4 days of  cross country for170 km with a rustic 4 WD and a team of 6 strong men including a colonel of the Waters and Forests Corps)

-         introduction of the project to the local population and its representatives (mayors , deputies, prefets of Yalinga and Bria), and discussions with nomad breeders and local cultivators to gather all points of view on practical details (future preserved areas, water and salt points, trails…)

-         checking of the wildlife in a 40 to50 km radius around Yalinga (this first survey concerned such animals as were once identified in the area such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, Lord Derby’s elands, bubal hartebeests, roan antelopes, kobs, reedbucks, situtungas, bushbucks, hogs, duikers, baboons, colobus, xerus, lions, panthers, wild dogs, servals, mongooses, civet cats, otters, crocodiles…)

-   production of a report on the local fauna for the Ministry of Waters and Forests

-   choice of the localization and first limits of the sanctuary – location of the premises still to be defined.

 

In February 2006, the C.A.R. government launched a public inquiry to make sure that the local population would welcome the opening of the sanctuary. The result was perfect in our point of view: “why does it take so long?” seemed to be the only remaining question.

2.2.- PROSPECTION AREA

Action is meant to be continued as soon as possible to meet the wishes of the local population.

New surveys will bring better knowledge of all creatures great and small living on site, their state of health and the state of their habitat.

A definitive agreement will be signed up with C.A.R. government, specifying the limits of the sanctuary, mentioning possibilities of further extensions.

The opening of new tracks will be one of the most important and urgent tasks, as this will enable our local team to move fast and easily, in order to watch the animals and to deter organized poachers and bandits from roaming around Yalinga. Security will have to be restored.

The ancient local hospital and school will be mended and re-equipped.

A post, including a veterinary clinic, a “village” for the sanctuary staff, carports and shelter for vehicles and equipment, and a lodge will have to be entirely built up.

Local agriculture and breeding will be encouraged and technically reinforced.

Local trade will be encouraged and made easier through the maintenance of tracks.

The progressive opening to visitors will be the final step that will insure the long term living of the sanctuary.

 

2.4 – MEANS

In order to limit the costs and to respect both the ecosystem and the needs of durable economic development, Doli has chosen basic and even rudimentary means, using little technicality but lavishly employing local task force.

Roadwork will not want expensive machines destroying the ground, but shovels, picks, levers and men. Old fashioned hand tools will be used for woodwork; timbers will be employed for construction and furniture, roots and branches will be burned into charcoal; terra cotta items will be produced in kilns built in the same ancient lines as those used in Tozeur (Tunisia); breeding farms will be conducted in the traditional African pastoral pattern; honey bee and fish breeding can be considered in a few places; water supplies will be insured by building several wooden water towers and dams…

New channels for the development of traditional agriculture, crafts and trade will be encouraged

More than 150 permanent jobs (with an adequate formation) directly linked to the opening of the sanctuary should help slowing down the depopulation process in the area.

Such arrangements could not be even dreamt of without the total support of the local population. We know it is granted to our project.

The C.A.R. government plainly understands the importance of this challenge, and is also aware of the fact that this project can be correctly set up only by a totally independent entity, such as Doli.

Doli’s members inFrance and C.A.R. (lawyers, managers, physicians, scientists, vets, journalists, ex-hunters and professional guides…) are working as a team to make a dream come true.

 

3       CHRONOLOGY