Payments for Environmental Services (PES)

The PES creates hope for the protection of ecosystems. Our study consisted in assessing the socio-economic and environmental benefits generated by this system in Bolobo. Data was collected through a literature review, interviews, a focus group and surveys. The results show payments for biodiversity conservation, investment and restriction of use rights. It proved to be participatory and land ownership rights were well clarified. From a socio-economic point of view, the payments declared by the service providers to be unsatisfactory do not compensate the communities for the opportunity cost of the nature-destroying activities they have given up. This is why they are continuing with their previous activities. From an environmental point of view, there has been a reduction in bush fires, forest regeneration and the maintenance of bonobo habitats. The study showed the extent to which insecurity of land tenure and economic security, as well as the lack of opportunities due to the region's isolation and an almost non-existent state, are obstacles to the self-determination of the inhabitants.