to a healthy environment which promotes his full development..." Everyone has the
right to breathe air which is not harmful to his life. Any emission into the air which is
likely to harm the environment or health is prohibited..." In application of the law
which seeks to protect the interest of both men and women, the appropriate standards
for the storage, transportation and elimination of toxic waste are strictly respected.
Law No. 011/202 of 29 August, 2002 on the Forest Code: Article 36 on the right of the
population living in or near the forest zone to use the resources therein; Article 39 on
the rights of users in the graded forest to the collection of dead wood and straw,
collection of fruits, edible or medicinal plants, harvesting of gums, resin or honey,
collection of caterpillars, snails or frogs, removal of wood for the purposes of housing
or craft work; and finally, Article 43 on the rights of user in protected forests. This law
puts men and women on an equal footing with regard to the management and
preservation of the environment as well as the judicious use of natural resources.
297. It should also be stated that the DRC confirmed its willingness to participate in the global
effort to preserve the environment at the international level by acceding to the international
agreements and conventions on climate negotiations in order to make its position known and
to make a case for its concerns, particularly the protocol on climate change of 16 February,
2005.
298. However, well before that, the country had already acceded to the African Convention on
the Preservation of Nature and Natural Resources of 15 September, 1968 as well as the
Convention on the Pollution of the Sea Resulting from the Dumping of Waste of 9 December,
1972.
299. Since 1975, an institutional framework for the management of the environment and
preservation of nature has been developed by the DRC. This involves the Ministry of the
Environment, Preservation of Nature, Tourism and Sustainable Development (MECNDD).
Through its administrative structures operating at the central and provincial levels, this
institutional framework has undertaken several activities which have led to the formulation
of the National Environmental Plan and the adoption of the framework law on
environmental protection.
300. Among the administrative structures which are part of this institutional framework, one can
make particular mention of those put in place to enable women and men living in the rural
areas and virtually in or near the forest areas to have a healthy environment which promotes
their full development:
Congolese Institute for the Preservation of Nature;
DAS: Land Improvement Department of MEDO;
National Agricultural Extension Department;
National Department for Rural Activities and Extension;
National Rural Information Department;
National Centre on the Environment;
National Rural Youth Department (SENEJER);
National Department for Integrated Rural Development (SENDRI);
National Renewable Energy Department (SENEN).
301. Among others, the mission of the last department is to promote research and investment
in the area of new and renewable energy sources and to involve women in those activities,
as desired by the MAPUTO Protocol.
302. With regard to policies and programmes implemented for a healthy and sustainable
environment, the Democratic Republic of Congo has a number of programmes including
the following:
National Environmental, Forestry, Water and Biodiversity Programme (PNEFEB2);
National Programme for Adaptation to Climate Change (PANA-AFE);
National Land Improvement Programme (PNA).
303. In the area of the management, handling, storage and disposal of domestic waste, the
59