Seven communities in Maniema province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been granted forest concessions covering more than 52,000 hectares—approximately 128,500 acres, or about 73,000 football fields. According to Josué Aruna, country director of the Congo Basin Conservation Society (CBCS), the organization that is supporting these communities, "this area, located in a forested zone along the Congo River, will now be managed by local communities." Aruna explained the role of CBCS in this process and the purpose of the initiative. "CBCS has lobbied provincial authorities and supported the communities in the process that led to the acquisition of the concessions. This initiative aims, among other things, to strengthen community conservation in an area affected by illegal loggers who come to harvest redwood for foreign markets, as well as grey parrot poachers and forest elephants," he said on September 26, 2026, in a phone interview with Mongabay. The area covered by Maniema province is known for its high concentration of endemic species found only in the DRC, as well as a rich diversity of primates. These include the forest elephant, which is classified as critically endangered, the bonobo, okapi, African grey parrot, and three species of pangolins, which are classified as endangered. The region is also home to the Congo peacock and hippopotamus, both of which are classified as vulnerable. The presence of such rare and threatened species highlights the ecological importance of the region. For Aruna, the allocation of these forest concessions must now place the communities at the center of protecting these areas. "Each community will now be responsible for conserving..." he said, emphasizing the shift in responsibility from external entities to local groups. This approach aims to ensure that conservation efforts are more sustainable and directly involve those who live in and depend on the forest. This article was originally published on Mongabay.