Villages 'discovered' in DR Congo (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Hundreds of villagers are helping to map parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo where thick forest and conflict have prevented effective mapping.

So far about 190 villages have been found in one area of Bandundu province where old maps show only 30, UK-based charity The Rainforest Foundation says.

Most maps are produced from satellite images taken from above, but this project is using handheld GPS units.

The map is intended to aid post-war planning and timber permit allocations.
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"The real worry is that permits to cut timber, permits to extract resources will be given to external companies without recognising the fact that people are already there and already using the forest," she said.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7355335.stm