World Wildlife Fund

Over 150 different ethnic groups live in and depend upon the forests of the Congo Basin.
© WWF/Chloe Cipolletta

Humans have inhabited the forests of the Congo Basin for more than 50,000 years. Among some 150 different ethnic groups, the Ba'Aka, BaKa, BaMbuti, Efe and other related groups — often referred to as Pygmies — are today's most visible representatives of an ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle. These people possess an incredible knowledge of the forest, its animals and its medicinal plants.

Today, the Congo Basin provides food, medicine, water, materials and shelter for over 75 million people. There continues to be a great deal of local migration to adapt to economic, environmental and societal pressures, with groups moving into and out of the forest depending on these conditions.

WWF is helping to make sure that the forest will continue to support the BaKa.
© WWF-Canon/Martin Harve

Armed conflicts have created a large flow of refugees and forced some rural populations away from roads and into the forest where they are safer from combatants.

Where peace has returned, with it comes better enforcement of protected areas and environmental regulations.

Increasing stability, however, may encourage more foreign companies to exploit the region's forests and other resources. Some do not adhere to any environmental or social standards.

WWF has helped to create "Edzengui", a BaKa community forum. This is just one example of how we are working to protect the forest, and to help people develop sustainable livelihoods within it.

The Congo Basin covers some of the poorest countries on Earth. By focusing on the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, WWF seeks to ensure that the Congo Basin's forest and freshwater ecosystems will continue to be a major source of livelihood improvement for the region's people.