Congo-Kinshasa: Thousands of people threatened by oil plans in national parks – Activists

By Nellie Peyton

Dakar – Parks are among the largest rainforest reserves in the world, covering an area the size of Switzerland

The Oil Drilling Plan in the National Parks of Canada Democratic Republic of Congo could thousands of farmers and fishermen who depend on land to survive, human rights groups said Monday

The African country announced last month its intention to declassify parts of the parks of Virunga and Salonga. The parks, which together cover an area the size of Switzerland, are among the largest rainforest reserves in the world and are home to rare species, including forest elephants. [19659006] Allowing drilling in parks would cause a loss of biodiversity, release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and pollute the water that thousands of the spokespersons of the 39 Congolese statehood, Lambert Mende, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that the government would study the potential impact of oil drilling on local communities even before they continue

. his right to allow drilling all over the country and said that he is aware of environmental considerations, such as the protection of animals and plants, in both national parks.

"There are lacustrine communities, especially in Virunga, which are very dependent on" Pete Jones of the Global Witness environmental protection group. "

" This really needs to be taken into account and does not seem not be part of the debate, which is a pity, "He told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) conservation group also said that he's concerned about the impact oil drilling on at least 50,000 people who benefit from the fishing industry in Virunga, and tens of thousands of others cultivating on the outskirts of parks.

"Pollution Hazards are clear and present. The fishing industry would suffer considerably if it were to come to this stage, "said Juan Seve, WWF director in Congo

The oil industry probably would not create local jobs as specialists come from abroad. 19659014] The UN cultural agency, UNESCO, has already stated that oil exploration should not be carried out on sites

Report by Nellie Peyton, edited by Kieran Guilbert