Planting trees in Dimonika is part of the fight against global warming. For the German diplomat, this support project is fully covered by the policy of the Congolese government, which advocated reforestation and forest protection measures during the “Three Forest Basins” summit. And the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou N’Guesso, announced a “decade of reforestation” during COP27. It is on this political line that the Embassy and the local incubator, in cooperation with all interested political actors, developed this micro-project worth ten thousand euros. “I came here to Dimonika to launch a micro-project funded by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Congo, particularly on the reforestation of areas destroyed and degraded by mining activities. Today we planted several trees in areas that have been horribly degraded and devastated by gold diggers. We are returning at the end of January for an official ceremony with the presence of all competent authorities”said Dr. Wolfgang Klapper.
Restore devastated areas by using endemic trees
It was important for the German diplomat that, in cooperation with the natives, he gave a clear sign of the reforestation of the areas affected by gold miners. Moreover, in this context, he had a detailed conversation with the village chief before the operation. Other agricultural micro-projects that could be implemented in Dimonika were also discussed. dr. Wolfgang Klapper will also speak with Sub-prefect Mvouti, the state representative. “We do many other ecological projects such as Cafi, IKI for the protection of peatlands. On October 30, Congolese Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso presided over the annual board meeting, which clearly shows that our activity here in Dimonika is covered by government policy. On November 13, we launched the Paco project with the Congolese Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Basin to measure the impact on the environment in the Congo. And in that context, we made this micro project”Dr. Wolfgang Klapper explained.
The curator of the Havre d’Equity association, Rodrigue Louzolo Zambila, the beneficiary of the German donation for deforestation in Dimonika, indicated that despite the fact that Dimonika is a place included by UNESCO and regardless of the decrees that classify this reserve as an inviolable place, this did not prevent the work on the site and savage devastation of the forest. “Germany is a country that recognizes the fight against climate change. We presented our offer, which was successful. Instead of fighting the gold miners and industrialists who come illegally, we went to where they were working and wreaking havoc. We will plant endemic trees in these places to correct this progressive deforestation of the Dimonika forest.”he thought.
Note that this visit follows the one made last April by the German diplomat with the Congolese Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and Basin, Arlette Soudan Nonault, to look at the state of degradation of Dimonica due to gold leaching, as well as loss of biodiversity and erosion. And during this visit, the minister organized a meeting with the natives, during which she gave the gold miners a deadline of two months to stop all their activities in this part of the country, because Dimonika is a world heritage site under the protection of UNESCO.