This study aims to assess of importance of different environments (forest, river, planting, fallow, town and village) and categories of use and activities (fishing, hunting, pharmacopoeia, construction, ritual, food, tools and firewood) for the Batwa and Bantu living in Bikoro area. The interest of this study is to provide a comprehensive diagnosis that reflects the priorities and what is important from the perspective of forest people. To do so, comparative and synchronic study among the Bantu and Batwa in Iyanda and Moheli were conducted, two area in Lake Ntomba sector. Stones Distribution Method is applied to (SDM) methodology developed by CIFOR. So we thought that farming practice is likely to involve a reduction in the use of wild plants, the results of this study show that forests today still hold an important place in the daily lives of Batwa but also in that of their non-Pygmy neighbors. And that, including food: mushrooms and fruits are significant food supplements, which allow a more varied diet with the seasons. However, today, after a relatively old settlement and a long coexistence with non-pygmies, agriculture is also a priority.

The Pygmies are knowledgeable of the virtues of the biodiversity of their environment, including the food value of these species. This study report on food strategy developed by the Batwa and is based on a rich biodiversity. We conducted a household survey of 260 Batwa in five villages in Bikoro territory, Democratic Republic of Congo. The results of this survey show that 105 edible wild plants are recognized by the Batwa even if only 65 are actually used in the diet of the Batwa. Animal Genetic Resources and Other Non-timber Forest Products are also very diverse. However, there is currently in the region to a scarcity of natural resources, particularly due to the uncontrolled harvesting, expansion of agriculture due to strong population growth and logging.

This study reports on changes in traditional knowledge and know-how in Batwa communities due to livelihood changes especially due to cassava cultivation ownership. We compare Batwa (pygmies) and Ntomba (bantou) communities living in the two villages (Iyanda and Sekri) in Congolese jungle. Results revealed that Batwa communities have lost significant knowledge packages after they adopted bantou livelihood behavior. This situation should be well managed to avoid the complete loss of Batwa traditional knowledges and know-how.