Central African Republic government and FAO train on forest management
A two-day workshop in Bangui aims to link sustainable forest use to preventing zoonotic disease risks.
The Central African Republic's Ministry of Forestry, Wildlife, and Aquatic Resources, in partnership with the FAO, organized a two-day training workshop in Bangui from October 27-28. The event focused on educating participants about sustainable forest management as a method to prevent zoonotic disease risks, using the "One Health" approach.
The workshop, part of the INFORBIO project, highlighted the preservation of forest ecosystems as a way to stop new pathogens that could threaten human health. Achille Mapouka, a focal point for the ministry, stressed that economic, social, and ecological factors must be considered before any forest use, stating that sustainable exploitation is maintenance, not destruction.
Participants are expected to share the knowledge gained with others and promote practices that prevent poor forest management. The project views well-managed forests as "health infrastructures" that can help alert systems for zoonotic diseases, which are transmissible between animals and humans.
Why it mattersThe workshop aims to reduce the risk of human health threats by promoting sustainable forest management.