Territorial boundaries of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve: land tenure issues, environmental governance and safeguarding local communities

Abstract

The Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (YBR), situated in Tshopo Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a key area for biodiversity conservation, scientific research and the regulation of forest ecosystems in the Congo Basin. However, its governance continues to face challenges linked in particular to territorial demarcation, the overlap of land tenure and customary laws, and restrictions on access to natural resources. This study analyses the relationships between territorial demarcation, environmental governance and the safeguarding of local communities’ rights.

The study draws on legal theory and the sociology of law. It involves a literature review of academic work on Yangambi, Congolese legal instruments relating to nature conservation, and theories of natural resource governance.

The study’s findings show that historical uncertainty regarding the reserve’s boundaries, insufficient consideration of social and customary dynamics, and low community participation in the demarcation processes have contributed to the persistence of tensions between managers and local communities.  The study argues that securing community rights should not be seen as at odds with conservation, but rather as a prerequisite for its sustainability. It recommends participatory demarcation, clarification of areas for community use, recognition of customary rights compatible with conservation, and the strengthening of local governance mechanisms.

Keywords: Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, territorial demarcation, land tenure, environmental governance, local communities, natural resources, conflicts.

Received Date: June 19, 2026

Accepted Date: July 10, 2026

Published Date: August 01, 2026

Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/938