Artisanal logger and students compare theory and practice

During one month students from the University of Kisangani had the opportunity to compare the theories learned in the classroom with the actual logging practices in the field. The plot chosen was the concession from Mr. Omari Clement, an artisanal logger who makes a considerable effort to exploit the forest applying reduced impact logging techniques. The techniques applied included minimum diameter of exploitation, protection of trees (i.e. seedling, trees for the future, patrimonial trees, caterpillars hosting trees) and respect areas excluded from forest exploitation such as swampy areas and steep slopes areas. The students made the observation that although Mr. Clement does his best, some improvement could be made when applying the techniques.

According to Mr. Clément Omari, he learned the techniques from various capacity building activities organized by Tropenbos International DR Congo for artisanal loggers and other stakeholders since 2010 in the Province Orientale in DR Congo. "By accepting these trainees in my forest concession, I wanted to show the world that artisanal logging does not constitute a threat against the forest, if it is done in accordance with the laws. Its impact is no more threatening than agriculture and industrial logging.We need support from the government and other partners to do better”. It is with these words that the artisanal logger Omari Clement expressed his delight after spending a whole month of discussions with the students in his forest concession.

As part of its partnership with the University of Kisangani and with the associations of artisanal loggers, Tropenbos International DR Congo has provided logistical support for the deployment and monitoring of this field activity and by supervising the trainees at the office, for one month after their field activities in Omari’s forest concession.