Enabling Landscapes: INTERHOLCO's Sustainability Report 2017

Inclusion and human rights
In Central Africa, indigenous people have been regular forest
inhabitants for thousands of years. To ensure that their customary
and traditional rights to land and resources are duly recognized
and respected, we have a well-defined set of safeguards.
Indigenous communities
Approximately 6’000 people are living in the rural areas within the
concession, mostly along the roads (National Road 2 to Brazzaville
and the road to Sembé-Souanké) and along the Sangha River. A
number of temporary camps are located in the forest and along the
smaller rivers.
40% of the rural population are indigenous peoples, in particular the
Mikaya, Bangombé and to a lesser extent, Mbenzelé and Balouma –
referred to as ‘Pygmy’ in the past, today correctly called ‘indigenous
people’.
In 2014 and 2015, Interholco encouraged groups of indigenous
women in several villages to produce traditional mats, which the
company purchased. This has turned into a source of revenue while
reinforcing community work and giving recognition to indigenous
women for their craftsmanship.
48 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017 INTERHOLCO