PROGEPP: 25 Years of Protecting Wildlife and Communities
Highlights
- PROGEPP has been protecting gorillas, elephants and communities for over two decades.
- 1.3 million hectares, sustainable use of resources, conservation and community involvement.
- 24,000 gorillas and 6,000 forest elephants protected, significant reduction in poaching.
- Sustainable jobs, diversified livelihoods and scientific research.
The Peripheral Ecosystem Management Project (PROGEPP) in the Republic of Congo is celebrating 25 years of dedication to wildlife conservation and community empowerment.
Over the years, it has successfully protected gorillas, elephants, and other species while supporting local communities.
PROGEPP was launched in 1999 and is a partnership between the Ministry of Forest Economy, Olam Agri’s Wood Business (Congolaise Industrielle de Bois - CIB) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
The project works with local communities to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources and to expand conservation into the buffer zone around Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, within the CIB concessions.
With 1.3 million hectares, PROGEPP is a model of excellent ecosystem management. It focuses on buffer zones, community partnerships and scientific research.
PROGEPP has protected globally threatened species: 24,000 gorillas and 6,000 forest elephants within its area of influence. The project has empowered communities by creating sustainable jobs, over 165 contracts and reduced hunting and poaching. Over the past 25 years, PROGEPP has implemented projects to diversify livelihoods and reduce pressure on wildlife and community involvement.
Key achievements
- Released over 1,400 animals to the wild and confiscated 850 illegal weapons and destroyed over 1,10,000 metal snares.
- Significant reduction in elephant poaching, with only 3 carcasses found in 2024, down from 33 in 1999.
- Creating over 400 micro-enterprises, operating more than 42 savings groups, benefiting 650 people.
- Scientific research has led to publications such as guidelines for reducing the impact of commercial logging on great apes in Western Equatorial Africa.
"PROGEPP-Kabo is an example of a public-private-conservation partnership. Together we will preserve the Ndoki-Likouala landscape in the buffer zone of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park for future generations. We will strengthen conservation and guide local communities towards new livelihoods through participatory and inclusive management," said Richard Malonga, WCS Congo Country Director.
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Source: Olam Ari
