Governing the jungle : REDD+ and forest governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo : an analysis of drivers, tenure, gender and participation

This thesis focuses on forest governance and the establishment of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) pilot projects in the Équateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The province is considered to host 28 per cent of the total forest area in the DRC and has been selected for the national REDD+ integrated programme supported by the Central Africa Forest Initiative. The programme is launched in a context in which the use and management of forests do not meet the needs and aspirations of forest-dependent communities. Increased poverty is actually observed, a trend that seems to be caused by weak institutions and enforcement, conflicting claims over forests and exclusion of forest dwellers and marginalised groups (Batwa Pygmies) with regards to decision-making about forest resources and access to benefits