V.4. Water Resources in the DRC
The DRC possesses important and strategic
water natural resources: 7% of the world reserves.
Hydraulic potential is so enormous that with Inga site alone,
the DRC can provide the whole central Africa with electric
energy.
The major part of natural water resources is found in the
overcrowded areas without any framework and without any use in lasting
agriculture.
In spate of such enormous water resources, desertification is
drawing nearer and nearer, and necessary provisions need to be taken to protect
rivers and streams in order to prevent water rarefication. This explains why
there are sub- regional organizations like the Nile basin initiative, the Congo
basin organization, Organization for Tanganyika Lake biodiversity.
V.5. Congolese National Parks and Fauna Reserve
Management of Congolese natural resources also takes place
through measuring protected areas. Even unprotected by the provision of forest
code. Protected arears contain rare animal species that run the risk of
extinction if protection measures are not taken. Congolese national parks are
the following ones according to Professor AYOBANGIRA:
- Virunga Park: created in 1925, it is rich in fauna and flora
with many animal and vegetal species. It is localized in North Kivu
province.
- Garamba Park is localized in Oriental province near
Congo-Sudan border and it measures 4920 km². It was crested in 1928 and it
also rich in fauna and flora.
- Kahuzi Biega Park: localized in South Kivu near Congo
-Burundi border, it covers 6000 km² and it rich in fauna and flora.
- Kundelungu Park: localized in Katanga, it was created in
1970 and it cover 7600 Km². Like the other ones, it is rich in fauna and
flora.
- Maiko Park: rich in flora ind flora, it is located half in
North-Kivu and half in the Oriental province. It was created in 1070 and it
covers 10830 Km².
- Salonga Park: it overlaps Bandudu, equator and western
Kasai. It was created 1970 and covers 36.000 Km².
- Upemba Park: was created in 1939 and covers 11730
Km².It is located in Katanga Province and Kundelungu Park it contains the
Zebra animal species.
In the addition to the national perks, there are fauna
reserves like:
- The OKAPI fauna reserve in Ituri has area
of 13,762 Km² and was created in 1992.
- Mangrove Marine Park: with an area of 786 Km², it was
created in 1992 and it located in moanda territory and it is rich in
hippopotamuses, crocodiles, tortoises snakes.
The management of Congolese national parks and reserves is
dealt with by the DRC in collaboration with the World Bank because they are
part of the world heritage. Water, mining and forest resources are spread all
over the country and specifically in the provinces.
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