EXTENT OF ILLEGAL TIMBER, CHARCOAL, AND WILDLIFE TRADE IN THE GREATER VIRUNGA LANDSCAPE A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE GREATER VIRUNGA TRANSBOUNDARY COLLABORATION SECRETARIAT February 2013 Report compiled by the WWF Uganda Country Office. Suggested citation: Mapesa, M., O. Kyampaire, J. Begumana, J. Bemigisha (2013) Timber, charcoal and wildlife trade in the Greater Virunga Landscape, WWF, Kampala, Uganda. A study commissioned by the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration. Funded: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kampala, Uganda Cover Photos: Illegal charcoal kilns in Virunga National Park © José Kalpers; Timber shade in Goma of natural forest species- Mahogany ©WWF; Mahogany timber species being loaded on a truck for export to Rwanda ©WWF ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................................ vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... ix 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .................................................................................. 15 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 15 1.2 Background ........................................................................................................................... 15 1.2.1 Threats to Biodiversity Conservation............................................................................ 16 1.3 Objectives of the Study ......................................................................................................... 17 2. METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH ........................................................................................ 18 2.1 Scope of study ....................................................................................................................... 18 2.2 Areas for field visits and consultations ................................................................................. 18 2.3 Approach to data collection .................................................................................................. 18 2.4 Field Data Collection ............................................................................................................ 19 2.4.1 Literature Review .............................................................................................................. 20 2.4.2 Remote sensing and GIS .......................................................................................................... 22 2.4.2.1 Mapping Routes and hotspots of the illegal trade ........................................................ 22 2.5 Data analysis ............................................................................................................................... 22 2.6 Limitations of the study .............................................................................................................. 23 3. FINDINGS AND RESULTS ........................................................................................................ 24 3.1 Trade in Timber .................................................................................................................... 24 3.1.1 Timber Trade in Uganda ............................................................................................... 27 3.1.2 Timber Trade in Rwanda .............................................................................................. 27 3.1.3 Cross border trade ......................................................................................................... 27 3.1.2 Timber Markets .................................................................................................................... 29 3.1.3 Factors fuelling the illegal timber trade ........................................................................ 29 3.1.4 Efforts to regulate the trade: timber tracking mechanisms ........................................... 30 3.1.5 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................. 32 3.2 Charcoal Trade ...................................................................................................................... 33 3.2.1 Charcoal production and trade in the GVL .......................................................................... 33 3.2.2 Drivers of charcoal trade ............................................................................................... 38 3.2.3 Management efforts to regulate charcoal trade ............................................................. 39 3.2.4 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................. 41 3.3 Wildlife trade ........................................................................................................................ 41 3.3.1 Ivory .............................................................................................................................. 44 3.3.2 Bush meat ...................................................................................................................... 47 iii 3.3.3 The conservation status of traded species in relation to CITES and the IUCN red list 52 3.4 Effects of trade in forest products on the potential for REDD+ financing ........................... 53 3.4.1 Introduction to REDD+ ................................................................................................. 53 3.4.2 Potential for REDD+ in the GVL ................................................................................. 53 3.5 Existing litigation provisions for the illegal trade in timber, charcoal and wildlife .............. 54 3.5.1 International legal framework ....................................................................................... 54 3.5.2 National legal framework .............................................................................................. 54 3.5.3 Adequacy of existing litigation provisions ................................................................... 56 3.5.4 Incentives for reduction of illegal trade ........................................................................ 57 3.5.5 Conclusion and Recommendation................................................................................. 59 3.6 Effects of Illegal timber, charcoal and wildlife trade on the habitats and species of the protected areas and forest areas in the GVL ..................................................................................... 59 3.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 59 3.6.2 Loss of forest cover (habitat loss) over the last 20 years as a result of trade ................ 60 3.6.3 Results of GIS and Remote Sensing to asses forest loss ............................................... 63 3.6.4 Biomass extraction versus biomass supply ................................................................... 66 3.6.5 Current and future available alternatives (forest resources) within a 50km radius from each of the protected areas in the Greater Virunga Landscape ..................................................... 70 3.7 Cost-benefit analysis of feasible conservation-based enterprises for economic development in the communities adjacent protected areas in the Greater Virunga Landscape .............................. 72 3.7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 72 3. 7.2 Cost-Benefit Analysis of conservation-based enterprises in the GVL .......................... 72 3.7.3 Criteria for selection of enterprises for CBA ................................................................ 73 3.7.4 Results of the Cost-Benefits Analysis ........................................................................... 75 4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 81 4.1 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 81 4.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 82 4.3 Illustrative Models for Implementing Recommendations on the Study on Illegal Trade in Timber, Charcoal and Wildlife Products .......................................................................................... 86 Model 1: Support to Regional Peace Building Efforts by Conservation Agencies ...................... 87 Model 2: Improve on Law Enforcement Operations in DRC and at the Border Crossings to address Forestry and Wildlife Crime ............................................................................................ 90 Model 3: Apply for a Regional REDD+ Financing and Implement Sustainable Forest Management .................................................................................................................................. 94 Model 4: Promote Sustainable Charcoal Production as an Enterprise ..................................... 97 Model 5: Revise public procurement policies and procedures to exclude illegal timber .................... 101 5. Illustration of Combined Routes and Hotspots of Illegal Activities in the GVL ........................ 102 iv 6. REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................