Land Rights for the Indigenous Pygmy Peoples and Preservation of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Eastern DR Congo: A Paradigm for Integral Conservation and the Survival of the Riparian Population

Located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is now becoming an epicentre of tension between the conservation authorities and the local population, particularly the indigenous Pygmy peoples. This study examines the dialectic between the indigenous Pygmy people's right to land and the conservation requirements of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), as a protected heritage site. This research adopts an inductive approach based on documentation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that the current protected area management model should evolve towards participatory governance, recognising the customary and traditional rights of local populations. The exclusion of local people from the decision-making process has led to a lack of interest in conservation, and even to social implosion. Conditions of access to basic social services remain inequitable, accentuating the marginalisation of these groups. This standard recognises their right to dignity, physical integrity and freedom, while prohibiting all forms of discrimination. In addition, the Forestry Code (article 44) guarantees the maintenance of the use rights of local populations in forest concessions, except for agriculture. In practice, however, these provisions are circumvented or not applied in the context of the KBNP. The principle of co-management, promoted by the ICCN since its 2012 strategy, remains theoretical, with no concrete memorandum of understanding with the indigenous people. The sacred nature of Batwa land, combined with the need for dignified survival, means that the Congolese state has an obligation to guarantee secure access to forest resources, while respecting legal and customary pluralism.