DRC: Once masters of the forest, Pygmy community is being forced out of national park (Global Press Journal)

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Until June 2022, Biranda lived peacefully inside Virunga National Park, where he was born and raised. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, teems with biodiversity, providing Biranda’s community with honey, herbs, and medicinal plants that sustain their traditional way of life.

Biranda, who requested to be identified only by his surname for fear of retribution, recalls fondly, “In the park, the atmosphere is so good.”

In June 2022, park rangers expelled Biranda and his fellow Pygmy community members from their homes within the park, upending their livelihoods. Despite a new law signed by President Félix Tshisekedi in July 2022 to protect indigenous Pygmy people and grant them land rights, many continue to face evictions and struggle to access food and resources.

Bonane Muhindo, a leader within the Pygmy community, reflects on their deep connection to the forest: “We don’t know any other life than the forest. Our medicine, what we eat, what we drink, everything we need comes from the forest.”

Rubin Rashidi, a member of Parliament representing Kindu town, advocated for the law to safeguard Pygmy communities from displacement and discrimination. Mr. Rashidi says, “The persistent evictions compelled me to support the law on the protection and promotion of the indigenous Pygmy people in Parliament.”

The law, enacted in February 2023, stipulates that indigenous communities cannot be relocated without their consent and must receive fair compensation. However, its effective implementation hinges on coordinated efforts between the central government, provincial authorities, and civil society organizations.

Patrick Saidi, coordinator of a network promoting indigenous rights, pointed out, “We knew that there were many people who would, for example, benefit from the eviction of the Pygmies, because they might need to use their land for commercial purposes.”

Biranda, though unaware of the new law, hopes for a better future while residing in Muja, a makeshift village near the park. The community’s huts, made from wood and old canvas, house those displaced by the evictions. Despite the risks posed by rangers, some Pygmy members venture back into the park to gather essential food and medicinal herbs crucial for their children’s health.

Iramba, Biranda’s wife, shares her concern: “My daughter has been constipated for two days and has no appetite. I know which herbs will help her feel better.”

Patient Nkulu, a lawyer in Goma, underscores the Pygmy people’s profound knowledge of the forest ecosystem and advocates for their involvement in park management to ensure sustainable conservation practices. Mr. Nkulu says, “They should also be involved in the management of the park because their daily contact with the forest gives them in-depth knowledge of its natural resources.”

Despite legal protections, the Pygmy community of Virunga National Park continues to fight for their right to remain on ancestral lands, urging authorities to respect their rights and preserve their cultural heritage.

This story is based on an article written by Noella Nyirabihogo for Global Press Journal, published with the title “Once ‘Masters of the Forest,’ DRC’s Pygmy Community Is Being Forced Out of National Park.” To read the full story, go to: https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/democratic-republic-of-congo/masters-forest-drcs-pygmy-community-forced-national-park/