Ivindo, Gabon

Early 2005, CIFOR implemented an MLA survey in the Ivindo National Park in Gabon, in collaboration with the Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale (IRET) of the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CENAREST).

The Ivindo National Park (PNI; 300,000ha) is one of the 13 new parks created in Gabon in august 2002. Local communities claim traditional territories along the Ivindo river, inside PNI, and their main economic activities along this river are hunting, fishing and sand digging. They were not involved in or prepared for the creation of PNI and are worried about what conservation will mean for their livelihoods. Alternative economic opportunities are scarce.

The MLA survey was carried out to contribute to an improved understanding of local perceptions and priorities concerning the landscape, and to find opportunities for better informed negotiation between development and conservation objectives in the PNI area.

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Map of the study area and sample plots.

Interviews in the village	Asking local informant

 

Publications:

Sassen, M and Wan, M. 2006. Biodiversity and local priorities in a community near the Ivindo National Park Makokou, Gabon. CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia