By Fatima Saka
Communities and civil societies in the Democratic Republic of Congo have called on the Congolese government to protect the Virunga National Park by halting oil exploration activities within the park.
The call was made on February 2, as they mark the World Wetlands day with the theme: “People and Nature”
The park, a UNESCO world heritage site, is home to unique flora and fauna including large colonies of hippos and around 200 of the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
They want the government to prioritise investments in renewable energy sources to promote the sustainable development of the local economy.
The citizens, in a petition, also called on President Felix Tshisekedi to immediately halt all oil development activities in Virunga, the local communities and civil society are advocating for a fossil-free Virunga, in a bid to avert the adverse effects on the communities and the environment.