Sangha Trinational of North-Western Congo Basin

Riviere Sangha (275,000 ha), the Sangha-Nouabale-Ndoki Wetland (275,000 ha), and Cameroon’s Sangha River portion were designated as part of the Sangha Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in 2008. (275,000 ha).

Committee Members from Around the World

The World Heritage Committee stated that the north-westerly part of the north-western Congo Basin is protected. The Sangha Trinational Conservation Complex is shared by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (TNS).

Dzanga-Sanga and Dzanga-Ndoki are the two national parks in this area. Proper maintenance of the region’s natural environment is essential for the northwestern Congo Basin’s forests to retain their worth and quality.

The tropical rainforests of Central Africa, which are particularly wet and humid, are well-protected. Many different types of plants can be seen growing in clearings in the woods. There is a lot of money in the Mukulungu tree, which TNS takes care of. Elephants, antelope, and the endangered Western Lowland Gorilla can be found in the protected region.

The borders of three national parks form a protected area. A vast buffer zone protects environmental linkages between the three countries. No trees may be chopped down or game taken in national parks. TNS isolation prevents resources from being drained from the network. ‘ Tourism, farming, and creating infrastructure all have an impact on TNS’s conservation efforts if they are in line with the organisation’s objectives. 

Responsibility and Protection

Each of the three states owns a portion of the land. Non-government organisations, international organisations, and bilateral agencies operate the three national parks on the property. A global effort is needed to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement, research, and the tourism industry. All three countries are kept in the loop by the Trinational Committee on Suivi and Action. Three zones are monitored by a Trinational Monitoring Committee. To make your property secure and easy to manage, it must be maintained and expanded. 

Management of the properties takes into account the BaAkas’ rights and way of life. The Central African Republic and Congo’s protected zones make it difficult for locals to access local resources, resulting in greater warfare and worsening the situation. CAMEROPE (Cameroon). Both the preservation of the landscape and the efficient use of available resources must go hand in hand in the modern world. It is easier to learn and utilise indigenous knowledge when there is a greater buffer zone to deal with. 

To be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a site’s residents and indigenous peoples are more likely to have their rights protected. It’s a win-win situation. The Central African Republic’s ecological values are dependent on how buffer zone resources are exploited and how successfully indigenous and local groups work together. 

Climate

August through November is a wet season followed by a drier winter and spring months. In the driest months, the north receives 100 millimetres of rain, or 1,365 to 1,600 millimetres every year. Throughout the year, the humidity levels fluctuate between 60% and 90%. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically ranges between 25°C and 28°C. Bayanga’s lows in December range from 21 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fauna

No species is unique to Guinea-Congolese woodlands, even if there are many. Some forest types haven’t lost any animal species even though there have been many hunters. Healthy populations depend on various vertebrates, such as top predators and large mammals. To attract rare creatures, forest clearings that connect to each other are ideal locations. The western lowland and VU gorillas are in jeopardy, as is the VU. (EN) My mouth is watering at the thought of this dish (EN). Big-tusked male elephants in Ba’ Dzanga are plentiful, and the male-to-female ratio is in the “normal” range. Seeds are dispersed by large woodland creatures. Sticks are used by chimpanzees and gorillas to determine how deep water is, as well as to obtain honey.

Today, there are 116 mammal species, 429 bird species, 29 species of reptiles, and 31 species of amphibians. 25 rodents and 3 pangolins make up the total. Primates, on the other hand, come in a whopping 18 different varieties. Colubrumba ruby-red Mangabey dressed up in a suit and tie. In addition, there are the Cercocebus torquatus, the Lutra maculicollis, and the hippopotamus. There are fewer and fewer Hippopotamus amphibius left in existence (VU). There are ten additional species of monkeys on the list in addition to the endangered ones. For example, there is an enormous pangolin and the western colobus, as well as smaller pangolins.

Conclusion

Located in the northeastern part of the Congo, the Sangha Trinational Parks are a collection of national parks. Several large, humid tropical forest ecosystems can be found in each national park. The Asiatic elephant, mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, and forest antelope also call these woodlands home. Because it is surrounded by a tiny strip of sparsely farmed woodland, this location is protected from the outside world. The property is overseen by a variety of organisations, some national, some regional, and some local. The IUCN prioritised a location in the Congo basin with a high concentration of species. Some of the most important wetland habitats in the world can be found along the Sangha River.