Legal Background
The Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park was created by Presidential Decree in 1993. Encompassing a wilderness area that was completely uninhabited by human settlers, the aims of creation of the Park are clearly stated in the Decree, and include watershed and biodiversity conservation, preservation of the forest ecosystem in its natural state, promotion of scientific research and development of ecotourism; environmental education, continual environmental monitoring, rational and sustainable use of the areas outside the Park boundaries, and protection of historical and archaeological sites.
Congo's forestry code defines a National Park as a protected area within which 'no permanent residents are allowed'. No activities are permitted other than those necessary for conservation or for restoration of the natural values which were the objective of the creation of the protected area. Access to the public can be prohibited." (Article 3: 3e de la no32/82). A national park is therefore a protected area created to assure complete protection of natural habitats, fauna and flora, genetic resources, soils and atmosphere. It is an appropriate site for scientific research and ecotourism, both of which are scrictly regulated. No one may live permanently in a National Park, and access to the public may be prohibited.