As always in Africa and the world, it is critical that some element of local development takes place; that people can secure employment and raise their living standards and that governments can deliver services to citizens. If we do not provide an alternative source of employment as well as a grassroots presence that protects remaining biodiversity it is entirely conceivable that the world’s hunger for resources most tangibly expressed in the form of mining and large-scale logging will overwhelm the forests of the Congo Basin.
Wilderness therefore sees the involvement of local people in all facets of the project from initial development, to operation and ultimately conservation as vital. Key elements of this are aspects such as employment, training, skills transfer, local procurement and ultimately revenue-sharing agreements and joint ventures.