Sangha Trinational

The Sangha Trinational (TNS) is a transboundary conservation complex located in the Congo Basin, encompassing contiguous protected areas across Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), and the Republic of the Congo. It represents one of the most significant ecological zones in Central Africa, recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, intact tropical forests, and collaborative management framework among three sovereign nations. The site is an emblem of regional cooperation in preserving rainforest ecosystems and promoting sustainable development within the Congo Basin.

Geographical Setting

The Sangha Trinational complex is situated around the Sangha River, a major tributary of the Congo River, from which it derives its name. The area covers approximately 750,000 hectares of pristine tropical forest. It lies at the meeting point of the three participating countries and includes:

• Lobéké National Park (Cameroon)
• Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic)
• Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (Republic of the Congo)

Together, these parks form an interconnected ecosystem of lowland rainforest, swamps, and riverine habitats, constituting one of the most biologically diverse and least disturbed forest blocks in Africa.
The region’s topography is generally flat to gently undulating, with dense canopy cover, numerous rivers, and rich alluvial soils. It forms part of the larger Tri-National de la Sangha Landscape, which extends beyond the parks into surrounding buffer and community zones.

Historical Background and Establishment

The concept of a trinational conservation area originated in the 1990s as regional governments and international conservation organisations recognised the ecological and cultural unity of the Sangha River Basin. Despite national borders, the region’s wildlife, vegetation, and indigenous communities shared common environmental and socio-economic characteristics.
In response, the three countries signed cooperation agreements to establish a joint conservation initiative aimed at ensuring integrated management. This led to the official creation of the Sangha Trinational (TNS) in 2000, formalising collaboration among the three national parks.
The complex was later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 in recognition of its outstanding universal value and exemplary cross-border conservation governance.

Biodiversity and Ecological Importance

The Sangha Trinational area represents one of the last strongholds of Central African tropical rainforest biodiversity. Its ecosystem supports an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered and endemic species.
Key wildlife species include:

• Forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) – vital for seed dispersal and maintaining forest structure.
• Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) – one of the most iconic and threatened primate species.
• Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) – exhibiting complex social behaviour and tool use.
• Bongo antelopes, forest buffaloes, sitatungas, and giant forest hogs.
• Over 400 bird species, including the grey parrot and African green pigeon.

The parks also contain salines or bai clearings—natural forest openings where animals congregate to feed on mineral-rich soils. These clearings, particularly the Dzanga Bai in the Central African Republic, provide exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation and ecological research.
The vegetation comprises moist semi-evergreen forests, swamp forests, and riparian zones, dominated by large hardwood trees such as mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) and sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum).

Indigenous Peoples and Human Context

The Sangha Trinational landscape is home to several indigenous and local communities, including the Baka, Bayaka, and Sangha-Sangha peoples, who have lived in the forest for centuries. Their livelihoods are traditionally based on hunting, gathering, and small-scale agriculture, closely tied to the forest’s resources.
Conservation initiatives in the area have increasingly recognised the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge and participation. Collaborative management programmes involve local communities in eco-tourism, wildlife monitoring, and sustainable resource use, promoting both biodiversity conservation and social welfare.

Management Framework and Cooperation

The TNS operates under a transboundary management framework that harmonises conservation policies and practices among the three nations. This collaboration is coordinated through:

• Tri-National Monitoring and Action Committees, comprising representatives from government agencies, park authorities, and conservation organisations.
• Joint patrols and law enforcement initiatives to curb poaching and illegal logging.
• Shared databases and research programmes for monitoring wildlife populations and ecological trends.

The management of each park remains under national jurisdiction, but coordination ensures consistency in conservation strategies and policies. International organisations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and German Development Cooperation (GIZ) have provided technical and financial support to strengthen capacity and infrastructure.

UNESCO World Heritage Recognition

In 2012, the Sangha Trinational was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for meeting natural criteria (ix) and (x), signifying:

• Criterion (ix): Representation of ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of ecosystems.
• Criterion (x): Containing the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including threatened species.

UNESCO commended the site for its ecological integrity, effective cross-border cooperation, and contribution to global biodiversity conservation. The inscription also highlighted the TNS as a model for transboundary protected area management.

Threats and Conservation Challenges

Despite its success, the Sangha Trinational faces multiple challenges that threaten its ecological stability:

• Poaching: Illegal hunting for bushmeat and ivory remains a critical issue, particularly targeting elephants and primates.
• Illegal logging: Commercial exploitation and unsustainable timber extraction near park boundaries degrade habitats.
• Mining and infrastructure projects: Expansion of roads, mining concessions, and agriculture pose risks of deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
• Climate change: Alterations in rainfall and temperature patterns affect ecosystem balance and species distribution.
• Socio-economic pressures: Poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods among local communities can drive unsustainable resource use.

Conservation agencies are responding with community-based initiatives, stricter law enforcement, and environmental education programmes to mitigate these threats.

Ecotourism and Research Potential

The Sangha Trinational offers vast potential for ecotourism, attracting visitors interested in wildlife observation, forest exploration, and cultural experiences. Sites such as Dzanga Bai provide world-renowned opportunities for observing large mammals in their natural environment.
Sustainable tourism initiatives aim to generate revenue for conservation efforts and provide employment to local populations. At the same time, the TNS serves as an important centre for scientific research, including studies on gorilla behaviour, forest ecology, and climate change impacts on tropical rainforests.

Conservation Achievements and Global Significance

The Sangha Trinational is widely regarded as one of the most successful transboundary conservation models in Africa. Its establishment has:

• Strengthened regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation.
• Enhanced anti-poaching enforcement through coordinated patrols.
• Contributed to global efforts under the Congo Basin Forest Partnership.
• Promoted community development through participatory management and sustainable livelihood projects.

The TNS plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle, as its dense forests act as major carbon sinks, mitigating climate change effects.

Future Prospects

The long-term success of the Sangha Trinational depends on sustained international support, local participation, and adaptive management in response to environmental and social changes. Priorities include:

• Expanding community-based conservation initiatives.
• Strengthening monitoring and data-sharing mechanisms.
• Enhancing resilience to climate and economic pressures.
• Promoting environmental education and cross-border peacebuilding.