Objectives: | The project ' s overall objective is to protect a significant amount of the Congo ' s biological diversity through: (a) continued monitoring of key biodiversity indicators, and systematic planning and coordination of conservation activities, at the national level; and (b) careful management of selected reserves, at the local level. At the national level, the project laid the groundwork for a permanent structure in charge of all conservation activities by creating a Project Management Unit (PMU) and a Technical Steering Committee (TSC) to manage and monitor the project in the interim. The project also supports the capacity-building of the Directorate in charge of protected areas, the National Herbarium, the National Geographic and Cartographic Center, and national nongovernmental organizations. At the local level, the project focuses on five sites representative of the country ' s biodiversity: Nouabale-Ndoki, primary closed forest; Conkouati, mixed gallery forest, savannah and mangrove swamp; Dimonika, mixed closed forest; Lefini, savannah and gallery forest; and Lake Tele-Likouala, inundated forest. Additional inventory and survey work carried out in Mt. Fouari, Mt. Nabemba-Garibenzam and other sites for possible inclusion at a later stage. In the five priority reserves, the project supported the development and execution of rational management plans, including alternative activities for local populations. |