1 COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION FOR THE CONTROL OF RAVINE EROSION WITH VETIVER TECHNOLOGY IN THE CONGO

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the majority of the urban centers experience massive surges by the rural populations. This rural exodus, associated with the high birth rate, is among the principal factors that increase the population in these urban environments. The demographic pressure is known to have several harmful consequences on the quality of the habitat. This situation leads people to occupy any new sites, even rough grounds, without taking account of standards of urbanization. Consequently, with the high rainfall intensity, the runoff waters on these poor zones are not controlled. It follows then the appearance of numerous gully and ravine heads and their progression with time to the centers of certain districts, causing enormous infrastructure damages (destruction of the public buildings, dwelling houses, roads etc) and sometimes human lives. The town of Kikwit in the province of Bandundu in the West of the DRC, is among the cities most threatened by water erosions. During these last decades, this damage became increasingly important. Unfortunately, the public authority gives only little and even no attention to the erosion problems, with great concerns to the local population. To fight agains