Posted on April, 17 2025

Developed through inclusive consultations with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and traditional hunters, the plan represents a shared vision for the sustainable use of natural resources.
The management plan helps the Central African government meet UNESCO’s conservation requirements while empowering local communities to protect their environment and improve their living conditions.

“This is a joyful day for the people of Bayanga,” said Amédée Sakoma, President of the Community Committee for the hunting zone. “The government created this space so the children of Bayanga can feed themselves. We see this plan and its participatory management as essential for today and for the future.”

The Community Hunting Zone was established to allow communities to sustainably use natural resources while contributing to national and global conservation efforts. The new plan now provides a formal framework to enhance food security, preserve cultural traditions, and protect biodiversity.

The launch of this plan is a major achevement  in the co-management partnership between the Ministry of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing and WWF. Under this agreement, WWF and its government partners will continue supporting the plan’s implementation and monitoring through local governance structures.

As Minister of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing Mr. Gervais Mbata highlighted during the signing ceremony:
“This management plan is more than just a document; it is a tool for justice and sustainability. It ensures that our forests thrive while allowing the people who have protected them for generations to benefit from their wealth.”

The community hunting zone is located at the periphery of the Dzanga Sangha Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site found in southwestern Central African Republic.