DRC: the slaughter of protected species authorized by means of finances, the controversy between the
(illustration) Family of mountain gorillas.
(Photo: gorilla.cd)
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
In the DRC, an interministerial decree authorizing in particular the capture and killing of certain protected species is controversial.
The document resurfaced a year after it was signed.
This text is also attacked by the National Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), which considers that this decree represents a setback for the country.
Environmental associations and ecologists demand its withdrawal because, for them, this decree legalizes poaching.
Publicity
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with our correspondent in Kinshasa
,
Patient Ligodi
This decree was signed on July 24, 2020.
The National Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) says it only discovered it about a month ago.
The text was signed by the Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development and by his colleague from the Ministry of Finance at the time.
According to this decree, it is now legally allowed to capture, kill or hunt animal species, totally or partially protected thanks to a permit to be obtained from the Directorate of Nature Conservation.
For example, it takes 1925 dollars to have the right to kill a
mountain gorilla
, a species totally protected in the DRC.
Authorization to slaughter a
bonobo
, savannah elephant, okapi or
black
rhino
costs $ 2,885.
►
To read also:
in Lubumbashi, a center to save primates from poaching
According to the former Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Claude Nyamugabo, this decree was taken in order to allow the ministry to reach its budgetary allocations.
He adds that his successor is competent to cancel or improve it.
In the cabinet of Eve Bazaiba, current Deputy Prime Minister in charge of sustainable development, it is said that a team of experts has been set up to analyze the text.
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See also
: Animal trafficking: chimpanzees from the DRC seized in Zimbabwe
►
Read also:
Progress in the protection of biodiversity in Central Africa
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DRC
Wildlife
Environment