Feb 28 2008
Fighting Charcoal
This is Innocent, I just wanted to report on the charcoal campaign efforts around Mikeno. We still can’t get back into the sector, because the rebels have said that they will execute any rangers who go to Bukima or to Jomba. We don’t have enough support to face up to the rebels, who number in their thousands. We are only a little more than 100.
That said, the reports that we have been receiving informally are that there have not been any gorilla killings, and that two baby mountain gorillas were born during the war, which is really encouraging for us.
The other important thing is that we are finally making real headway in our efforts to stop the charcoal trade. A section of the Advance Force (the elite Rangers who are based in the north of the park) have come to join us, and in many ways, we have never been stronger. We have now seized over 100 tons of charcoal, which is being redistributed in the Internally Displaced Camps.
We reckon that the flow of charcoal is now less than a third of what it had a couple of months ago. The problem is that we are making many enemies, especially among the military. Some of them have been making a lot of money from the charcoal and they are not happy with our efforts to stop the illegal trade.
Seizing Charcoal at Kibati.
Because we have been successful in stopping people transporting charcoal, the military have started to use military trucks. Last week we had several incidents of military trucks smashing through our road blocks to get the charcoal through. We brought the Advance force in, as well as 5 military police officers, and managed to seize two military trucks. The soldiers couldn’t believe it and were really mad at us. They followed us all the way back to Goma. We offloaded the charcoal, and handed over the trucks to the military tribunal, who had them seized.
Morning Parade, preparing for operations
So the rangers won the day, but we have a load of really annoyed soldiers and we have to be quite careful. Fortunately, the local politicians have decided to support our cause, and we have a letter of support from the Governor, instructing us to seize all illegal charcoal. Slowly slowly attitudes are changing, and maybe, just maybe, we will be able to stop the forest destruction for charcoal before the gorilla’s habitat is permanently destroyed.
Daily news from the conservation frontline by Innocent and Diddy, and other Congolese rangers risking their lives to save mountain gorillas of the Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Y’all are some brave people. Thank you for taking a stand against illegal charcoal and for putting your lives on the line for wildlife conservation. I am so proud to be part of this organization.
s.
I’m with you Sheryl, tears are welling up in my eyes, this time, not from grief but because I’m so proud of these brave men. Innocent and Diddy, please accept my deepest appologies for being impatient at times, sometimes I just don’t know what I’m talking about…but I do know the meaning of TRUE heroes, and you two are it.
Good news about the gorillas!!! Thank you for your efforts to stop the destruction of the park.
Dear Innocent and Diddy,
Please be careful… what can we do on our end besides donate funds to help you? What can the charcoal mafia do for employment instead of charchoal trade? Is there a program in place? Can we get word out that future unemployed will have income from different source? Seems incredible that there are thousands in the forest… have they heard about the offer to integrate them into the army? It’s a tough situation as these enemies are unpredictable but there is hope if we look at other success stories like Rwanda. I agree with Theresa and Sheryl, you are heroes! Stay safe by all means! Take all the time needed to accomplish this very difficult mission.
Judy in CA
How much tons of firewood or to cook would be necessary it for Républic of Congo and Rwanda, by year, to avoid deforestation.I find that if the ONU can to help the population with the free charcoal it’s possible to save the forest. An idea!
Innocent, thank you for the report. The work of all the rangers is realy outstanding and only your continued efforts will save what is left of the virunga forest and its wildlife, including our beloved gorillas. Thank you so much for your brave work!
I am just continually overwhlemed by your courage and committment…please, please take care of yourselves though…such dangerous times for you, it just makes my heart ache. I am heartened, however, by the news that the gorillas seem to have evaded harm for now…and two new babies, how wonderful! KEEP SAFE!!!
Innocent,
We applaud the rangers! Slowing down the charcoal trade is great news.
We are also happy to hear none of the gorillas have been killed, and two babies were born. How exciting.
Yes, be safe!!
Thanks Innocent. Do you guys know into which families the gorillas have been born?
Some good news..which I hope is pretty close to being true…these precious beings need to thrive…God bless you guys and stay safe…we know you are all doing what you humanly can at this point! Thanks
Heros indeed! To face down the soldiers and actually have the trucks seized is amazing work on behalf of conservation. Thank you for your unwaivering commitment. I am also uplifted by the fact that the rebels have not harmed the gorillas and that two new babies have joined the world. I continue to keep my fingers crossed that the tide will change and somehow something happens to allow you guys to gain access to the Gorillas. Good luck and please keep safe. Lisa
A Brazilian poet (Gonçalves Dias) said “life is combat that the weak abate and that to the forts and braves it can only exalt”. You are the forts and braves heroes that the life exalts and we respect deeply. Congratulations and thank you.
Dear SAM;
The two born have been in MAPUWA and KABIRIZI famillies
Innocent - great to hear the news of the two babies. In time, Mambo can teach his cheeky tricks to a new member of the family…
The charcoal trade is such a dangerous one - Here at G4G we have everything crossed for you guys.
Take enormous care - all the rangers.
You Rangers are the best of the best! I’m so grateful for all the work you are doing and believe that world can really become a better place when there are people like yourselves.
My 12 year son has started reading this website and is is starting to do some fundraising of his own. He understands why I have told him that all of the rangers are role models to be held in the highest regard. Stay safe.
I was wondering if there is some other product that could be produced (or a sustainable crop?) that could be introduced to replace the charcoal industry and address the economic problems. Also, could there be another way of cooking/heating introduced that would cut down the need for charcoal?
It seems that more friends would be made than enemies if we gave the people some hope of recovering their source of income.
God bless you and protect you in your work. Thank you for sacrificing your safety for the sake of making the world a better place!
Jeanie, see the Ending Charcoal blog, it will answer some of your thoughtful questions.
It the guards can’t be protected, who can? Why pay them, if they are the ones killing the guerilla’s? They are worst than the animals, they are suppose to be protecting. No donation here.
It the guards can’t be trusted to protect the guerilla’s, who can? Why pay them, if they are the ones killing the guerilla’s? They are worst than the animals, they are suppose to be protecting. No donation here.