ngos seek oil drilling ban in famed mountain gorilla national park
Tuesday 14 January 2025
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

NGOs seek oil drilling ban in famed mountain gorilla national park

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleNGOs seek oil drilling ban in famed mountain gorilla national park

Virunga National Park reopened to tourists last year after being closed for 2 years
Kinshasa - AFP

International environment and rights groups on Thursday launched a joint plea to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ugandan governments not to allow oil drilling in or around the Virunga National Park, Africa's oldest wildlife reserve famed for its mountain gorillas.

British NGO Global Witness said the appeal has been signed by some 60 groups -- including Greenpeace, the African Wildlife Foundation and the Zoological Society of London -- and urges the two countries as well as the UN cultural body UNESCO to take action.

In November the Congolese government said that seismic tests carried out by British oil company Soco in Virunga confirmed the presence of oil.

The announcement reignited a heated debate over the merits of exploring for oil in the vast park, which covers some 7,800 square kilometres (3,010 square miles) of lush forest, glaciated peaks and savannah in the restive eastern province of DR Congo's North Kivu region.

The UNESCO world heritage site reopened to tourists last year after being closed for two years because of militia violence in the region.

UNESCO has warned several times that any exploration for oil in the park would be "incompatible" with its heritage status.

The Congolese government however has promoted prospecting for oil in Virunga as offering a chance to lift the vast country out of poverty.

- 'Devastating impact' -

According to Global Witness, next month the Ugandan government will receive bids on six new oil licences, all of which include protected areas and one of which shares a lake with Virunga National Park.

"Drilling for oil in Lake Edward may have a devastating impact on both Virunga and the local people and wildlife in Uganda," said Global Witness spokesman George Boden.

There is a need "to act urgently to stop oil exploration in the entire lake for good,” he added.

Last month the European Parliament called for an end to all oil exploration and exploitation in the Virunga region.

The 60 NGOs called on "the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to reach a deal to stop new oil drilling licences from being awarded in Virunga National Park and the surrounding area."

In 2010, the DR Congo government awarded several oil concessions straddling the park's boundaries, including giving "block V" to Soco, but suspended the permits following a domestic and international outcry.

To date no oil exploration has begun in Virunga, nor have any licences to do so been granted.

Critics warn that, not only would oil drilling affect the wild life and environment but would ex

 

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

ngos seek oil drilling ban in famed mountain gorilla national park ngos seek oil drilling ban in famed mountain gorilla national park

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 06:21 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Myanmar blames Bangladesh for delayed Rohingya return

GMT 10:58 2017 Tuesday ,26 September

China refuses visa to elderly India runner

GMT 08:10 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Kurds invited to join Syria peace

GMT 10:24 2013 Wednesday ,05 June

Best home interior design

GMT 11:28 2014 Sunday ,27 April

Cafe curtains for bedroom

GMT 12:55 2016 Sunday ,11 September

Thailand Confirms 21 New Cases of Zika in Bangkok

GMT 04:43 2013 Thursday ,04 April

The Fatimid Brotherhood

GMT 09:30 2014 Monday ,12 May

\'Soul of Dubai Guide\' launched

GMT 15:59 2011 Wednesday ,13 April

Miami Heat outscores Atlanta Hawks in closing minutes
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle