Analyse des savoirs écologiques locaux et perceptions culturelles des catastrophes environnementales dans le territoire de Businga, Province du Nord-Ubangi en RD Congo.

Abstract

This study explores the knowledge, perceptions, and cultural practices associated with household solid waste management in the municipality of Gbadolite, situated in Nord-Ubangi Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It aims to shed light on how local communities perceive, handle, and make use of their waste through everyday interactions with both the urban setting and the surrounding natural environment. To achieve this, an ethnobiological approach was applied, combining a household survey conducted among 400 families across five neighborhoods with semi-structured interviews and participant observation of waste management practices. The results show that although most households are equipped with waste containers, sorting and reuse of waste are rarely practiced. The prevailing disposal methods namely burial and uncontrolled dumping have significant negative effects on environmental conditions and public health. These practices are largely shaped by limited living space, entrenched cultural habits, and insufficient local knowledge, all of which contribute to ineffective waste management systems. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate local knowledge and community-based practices into sustainable household waste management strategies, with the goal of fostering environmentally sound and socially appropriate urban development in Gbadolite.