Biodiversity and sustainable development on Idjwi Island in DR Congo

With a view to restoring the Nyamusisi forest reserve created by the Governor General's order n°52 /137 of May 02 1952 and entirely non-existent in fact and for the sustainable development of the island of Idjwi, we used the participatory action research method. Qualitative and quantitative data collection was based on 300 interviews and a survey questionnaire sent to a sample of 384 households living in and outside the Idjwi state forests (Nyamusisi forest). We carried out participatory mapping and remote sensing, and processed Land SAT satellite images. Our results led to the creation of the Idjwi-Nyamusisi Nature Reserve by Governor's decree no. 22/131/GP/SK of May 20, 2022. A management committee for the Idjwi-Nyamusisi Nature Reserve was set up by provincial decree n°22/300/CAB/GP/SK and registered with the national Ministry of Justice under number F92/52.340 Dos. Asbl: "CGRI". The Idjwi-Nyamusisi Nature Reserve meets the objectives of sustainable development on the island of Idjwi.