Analysis of the Forest Policy in Democratic republic of Congo, Case of Lumbashi (Miombo Forest)

Abstract

This research focused on the assessment of the implementation of the forest policy in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of the current forest policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, since its implementation in 2002. The research was conducted in Lubumbashi in three different villages: Lumata, Kashamata, and Kawama. The research examined the rights and obligations of the stakeholders as provided by the forest policy. The study contributes to providing information for decision making since the forests play an important role in the daily life of the Congolese people. The study aims to find failures in the implementation of the policy in order to give recommendations of how it may be improved for the wellbeing of both the government and the stakeholders, but also to find successes in the implementation in case the government decides to modify the policy. The study contributes by informing the targeted population in Lubumbashi on what are their rights and obligations toward the forest, as well as collecting information on the field necessary for the local government in the establishment of the local forestry plan. The researcher used qualitative method. Both primary and secondary data were collected for this research through interviews, focus group discussion, questionnaire and observation. The interviews include different local forestry authorities, the government, and local communities. The results of the research showed that effective implementation of the forest policy cannot be possible in an environment where no effective policy instruments of law enforcement are in place, as well as a lack of forest management knowledge. The results show that, due to political matter in Democratic Republic of Congo, the government has not been able to put measures to solve all failures in the implementation of the forest policy. This has remained a difficult issue and challenge that the government has not been able to find a sustainable solution. The researcher recommends the need to develop a sustainable community forest management in the Miombo forest in Lubumbashi by encouraging dialogue between all stakeholders involved, and to clarify all measures taken toward the forest to local communities as a solution to existing conflicts. The government, on the national level, needs to review the forest. A policy framework, on the local level, should be put in place as soon as possible for forest institutions to be able to function. The Democratic Republic of Congo needs to be more open to developed countries and collaborate with them to develop sustainable community forest management, which will allow effective implementation of the forest policy.