The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) warned today that oil exploration is threatening Africa's oldest national park, Virunga, in the Congo, on whose territory the greatest biological diversity on the continent has been recorded.
The latest WWF report points out that managing the park sustainably, instead of using it for harmful oil extraction, could bring the local population $1,1 billion a year.
"Virunga's rich natural resources are there for the benefit of Congolese people, not to be mined by foreign oil companies," said the WWF director.
The study "Economic Value of Virunga National Park" indicates that oil exploitation concessions, which have been granted for more than 85 percent of the park's surface, could cause pollution, political instability and cost people their jobs.
In June this year, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee called for the withdrawal of all oil concessions in Virunga and urged concessionaires such as Total SA and Soco International PLC not to undertake exploration in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Total SA has committed to respecting the boundaries of the Virunga Park, leaving only the English company Soco as the only oil company with plans to explore within the park.
"Virunga's rich natural resources are there for the benefit of Congolese people, not to be mined by foreign oil companies," said WWF Congo Director Raymond Lumbuenamo. He pointed out that the future of his country depends on sustainable development, and added that more than 50.000 people depend economically on the park.
"Extracting oil here could have devastating consequences for local communities that rely on Virunga for fish, drinking water and other needs," Lumbuenamo said.
The report said oil spills, pipeline leaks and gas flares could contaminate the air, water and soil with toxins, a finding echoed by studies from other oil-producing areas that have found the oil industry can cause health problems and conflict over sites. The study found that oil extraction could threaten Virunga's freshwater ecosystems, rich forests and rare plant and animal species.
The park is home to more than 3.000 different species of animals, including the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
"Now is the time to draw the line. Oil companies are standing on the doorstep of one of the most valuable and sensitive places, but we will not stop until Virunga is safe from this potential environmental disaster," said WWF International Executive Director Lase Gustavson.
Today WWF launched a campaign to protect Virunga National Park from oil exploitation. The organization is calling on Soco to suspend its oil exploration plans in Virunga and all other World Natural Heritage sites.
By signing the petition on wwf.panda.org you can help save this national park.
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