The initial work started in 2001 with the support from Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP). A study of impact of plant exploitation on habitat and gorilla populations has been accomplished. Timber and charcoal production, mine extraction and hunting for bushmeat were the Major threats recorded in the site (Chifundera and Basilwango, 2007). Previous studies (Plumptre et al., 2003; Doumenge, 1998; Omari et al., 1998) showed exceptionally rich biodiversity with many endemic species in the area that is globally recognised by BirdLife International as important area of priority for conservation. The area has been gazetted as Itombwe Natural Reserve (INR) in 2006 by the Congolese Wildlife Authority, but it is still submitted to human pressure. The human population displacement that occurred in 1996 due to wars has generated new forms of social organization, structure, and challenges to land use in the Itombwe Natural Reserve. The attitude of local communities towards conservation restrains INR’s conservation activities. In order to mitigate the threats, the project aims at protecting the lowland gorilla and its habitat by bringing changes in community attitude and behaviours through education and public awareness raising programmes.

The project is focused on lowland gorilla, a subspecies found on the IUCN Red List (1996, 2000). It is one of the most flagship subspecies in Africa and an effective target for much of the current conservation investment in the area. Conversion of forests into farmlands together with logging and poaching has made conservation difficult. However, thanks to combined efforts from CLP, WCS, WWF and the Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN), the area has been placed under the protection status since October 2006. Conservation activities are being performed to protect the INR and the project is involved in a long-term conservation process to assist in defining a conservation and management plan. A community education will be developed to explain the plight of the forest destruction and wildlife decimation, to identify and use potential integrative solutions for conserving the Itombwe Forest and the whole biodiversity within it. The substantial contribution to nature conservation will be the reduction of illegal hunting and deforestation thanks to alternatives that will be provided to local communities (Mubalama and Chifundera, 1999).