Community Forest Management and Forest Policy

Research focused on sustainable community forest management and policy implications for the biosphere reserve of Luki in the DR- Congo. The research purpose was to find out opportunities and options to develop sustainable CFM at the biosphere reserve of Luki. Research was conducted at biosphere reserve of Luki, southwest of DR- Congo. The increases of human activities threaten the biosphere reserve. The research revealed number of options and opportunities to establish sustainable CFM. The research uses qualitative research methods, both primary and secondary data were collected during field work in 2010. The results showed that, sustainable CFM cannot be established in an environment where no effective policy instruments or law enforcement in place. So far government has not been able to put measures to resolve tenure rights. This has remained a difficult issue and challenge for the government in finding immediate solution. The research recommends the need to develop a sustainable CFM at the biosphere reserve of Luki. Clarification of forest code is needed by stating what really government wants to do with its vast forest resources, especially in regard to forest dependent people.