Profile Of Charcoal Makers And Charcoal Production Process In The Villages Of Conkouati Douli National Park (Congo)

Abstract

The study describes the profile of charcoal makers, the charcoal production process and its
potential impact. The survey was carried out among charcoal makers in the villages of Youbi and Koutou,
located within the Conkouati-Douli National Park in Congo. The results show that charcoal production is a
male dominated activity. Young people over 23 and adults under 50 living as a couple in households of 5
people are the most involved. The literacy rate is 80% with a dominance of the primary level. charcoal
production is carried out in four main stages: felling and transport the wood, making the kiln, producing
charcoal and marketing. There is a gender division of labor for certain operations in the production process.
The production of charcoal depends on the number of kilns, the type of wood used but also the size of the
kiln. This activity has a negative impact on the environment, in particular disturbing the forest ecosystem by
causing the disappearance and scarcity of certain forest species (Moabi, Samba, Dibetou, Kambala) once
prized by charcoal makers.