Sorry, but these things always bug me a little. These people have not been paid for ages, have no food or agricultural land, almost all have family's to attend to with ill people.
Who are we, sitting behind our 500 dollar+ computers with a full belly judging people who are hungry and have no place to go but either steal or poach to survive the next day. If we'd improve the poverty, hunger and agression (ie stop selling them guns) in those countries people will start having time to think about their environment and have the luxury to protect it. Not like we protected ours when we were developing our economies.
I hope, when everything has gone by, there is still something left to save out there... We left non here.
If you would have read my comments carefully I am talking the Nkunda and Congolese govt. troops and not the poor people affected by the war, rape, pillage and poverty that happen to live in these provinces.
Anyhow, if you bring politics into it: corruption, neo-colonialism, cronyism and get-rich-quick for the happy few Congolese. The rest is left too rot indeed! If you would like to change that ... well think Patrice Lumumba et al and how Katanga, Kivu and other eastern provinces were then pillaged by the Mobutu people. On its own the whole region has sufficient natural resources and economic clout that it is a real wonder that most people still live in abject poverty. Indeed, as the report read ... from heaven to hell in 35 years!
Suffice:
A) the poaching is done by government army + Nkunda army and not your average Katangan, Kivuoan or other east Congolese. The latter have too much to think about just how to survive another day.
B) As for wildlife trade+bush meat et al:And yes, I do not care where it happens I do not condone it anywhere (not in Congo and not in my tiny home country).
C) If we humans were to allocate real economic value to tropical rainforests, the combined economic value would be very much the greater than a tonne of timber or 50 kgs. of bush meat will ever give. So, if you want to get the people on your side you need to give them an economic incentive and job+food security.
Judging by the events in DR. Congo over the last few years we are a long way off from that. Yet, we should not abandon the Congolese (like the UN and a number of international agencies do) and continue our support for sustainable development in the country. In this respect, all efforts by White Oak and okapikpr's people out there is both commendable and deserves our combined support!
