Solutions to Deforestion

Solutions to prevent further deforestation include several national parks including Virunga in the eastern DRC, wildlife reserves such as the Okapi Reserve in the transitional forest of northern DRC, and other heritage sites located in the Sangha Trinational area of Cameroon, Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic. Other reserves are using mixed landscapes and biosphere programs to include nature conservation and sustainable human use, and to provide additional revenue for local communities. Also researchers are working conserve mountain gorilla landscapes in the montane forests of the eastern Congo basin, through ecotourism, community projects, and park management. One of the major programs combating deforestation is the UN-REDD Program (where developed countries, pay forest rich developing countries for conserving their forests and manage forests more sustainably). Most conservation efforts are enforced by militant forces. Guards with guns stop people from entering the forests and restrict hunting.