India’s tissue paper sector is undergoing a meaningful structural shift, transitioning from a peripheral product category to one of the fastest-growing segments within the national paper industry. This review examines the structural drivers, capacity expansion patterns, and market transition dynamics that are reshaping India’s tissue landscape, with particular attention to the ongoing migration from traditional machine-glazed paper toward dedicated soft tissue grades. Secondary data from IPMA, FAOSTAT, IMARC, Papermart, and company disclosures are used to assess production trends, installed capacity growth, per capita consumption trajectories, and investment activity. India’s tissue sector grew from approximately 60,000 TPA in 2009 to an estimated 238,000 to 248,000 TPA of installed capacity by 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of roughly 10 to 11 percent over this period. Despite this expansion, per capita tissue consumption in India stands at approximately 0.18 kg, compared to a global average of 5.6 kg and North American levels near 27.8 kg, indicating substantial headroom for long-term growth. Demand is driven by urbanization, institutional consumption in hospitality and healthcare, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, rising disposable incomes, and increasing penetration of organized retail and e-commerce. On the supply side, strategic investments by companies such as Andhra Paper, TNPL, Gayatrishakti Paper and Boards, and Jani Sales, as well as APRIL Group’s acquisition of Origami, signal confidence in the segment’s long-term trajectory. The article also addresses structural constraints including data fragmentation, cultural preferences for water-based hygiene, fiber procurement challenges, and the dominance of the unorganized sector. The findings suggest that while tissue production capacity is adequate, the primary challenge for the Indian industry lies in driving consumption growth rather than manufacturing scale.
The city of Bukavu is exposed to various types of natural disasters. The intensity, frequency, and damage caused by these disasters sometimes lead state authorities to relocate affected households. Despite the recurring natural disasters and the relocation measures implemented by the state, the population resists relocation and continues to build on these high-risk sites. This study, conducted using a quantitative approach, surveyed 171 people at 38 high-risk sites. The results were as follows: 98% of victims had not been consulted beforehand regarding relocation; 98% stated that the new relocation sites lacked adequate basic infrastructure; 79% of victims cited attachment to their place of residence and/or origin; and 75% cited fear of losing their cultural identity. The consequences of resistance include accidents related to damaged infrastructure, loss of livelihoods, potential land disputes and legal litigation due to illegal occupation of others’ land, increased risk of disease, and decreased local economic activity. There are also risks to the rights and legal security of residents. Solutions to reduce population resistance to relocation include guaranteeing employment opportunities, priority access to health and education services in the new location, providing adequate housing in the new location, financial compensation for losses incurred during relocation, and successfully raising public awareness of the risks involved.
The rapid urbanization of Bukavu, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is marked by the increasing occupation of unsuitable land for construction, particularly on steep or unstable slopes. This study investigates the motivations and practices of state institutions in issuing land registration certificates on such high-risk sites, using the case of Lycée Wima Hill as a focal point. The methodology combines institutional interviews, household surveys, and document analysis. Findings highlight a land governance system characterized by institutional fragmentation, clientelist practices, technical oversight failure, and administrative tolerance of risky urbanization. At the same time, residents justify their settlement decisions on economic constraints, lack of alternative land options, and distorted risk perception. The study offers a critical reflection on the «grey legality» of urban land tenure in Bukavu and calls for land governance reform based on transparency, civic participation, and sustainable urban planning.
Lubumbashi, the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a major industrial and commercial center. As the city develops, urban infrastructures, such as gas stations, are multiplying to support economic growth and the mobility of residents. However, these facilities also pose significant challenges in terms of commercial urban planning and present substantial risks of fire and explosion due to the handling of flammable products.
The study of the mapping of risk areas and the impact of gas stations on the urban landscapes of Lubumbashi is crucial for ensuring public safety, promoting sustainable development, and improving the quality of life for the population. By addressing this issue, we can not only better understand the current challenges but also anticipate and prevent future risks, all while fostering healthy and balanced urban growth.
The main objective of this study is to map the risk areas in the urban landscapes of Lubumbashi in relation to the establishment of gas stations. This will help to understand and quantify the impact of these infrastructures. This study aims to provide a solid database and essential information to inform decision-makers, scientists, and local populations, in order to enhance public safety, promote sustainable urban development, and ensure a better quality of life in the city of Lubumbashi.
The widespread integration of artificial intelligence into teacher training raises tensions between promise of algorithmic objectivity and ethical issues. This article examines how AI is transforming professional subjectivity and the hierarchy of values in the teaching and training profession. Based on a critical analysis of international standards (UNESCO, OECD) and a review of the literature (2020- 2025), we propose an axiological framework for interpretation. We show that AI is not just a technical skill but an explicit axiological issue present in all training and assessment systems.
The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational forms of collaboration for innovation, and develop a clearer typology that reflects the practical realities of modern business. After a thorough review of literature, we draw on the three core processes – outside-in process, inside-out process, coupled process – introduced by Gassmann and Enkel in 2004 to conceptualize our typology of organizational forms of collaboration. This research reveals seven organizational forms of collaboration, each form is described in terms of three organizational and functional characteristics (governance mechanisms, work organization and interactions, and intellectual property rights). The findings of this study will provide managers with a more comprehensive understanding of the various organizational forms of collaboration that can be adopted to conduct innovation activities. This typology specifically addresses collaborations for innovation. The findings might not be generalizable to other collaboration goals.
Introduction: Blood symbolizes death for many communities in eastern DRC, but it represents life in hospitals. Blood donation mobilization campaigns have been launched by the Congolese government and international organizations to meet the high demand for blood bags resulting from the increased number of war wounded in North and South Kivu. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with households' perceptions of blood groups and the Rh factor in the Bagira health zone. A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire administered to a stratified sample of 272 households was conducted from March to November 2025. Univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were performed with Epi Info 3.5.3 (frequencies, proportions, chi-square, Fisher's exact test, odds ratios). The results show a lack of knowledge about blood groups (75.37%) and the Rh factor (86.76%), with a statistically significant difference for general knowledge (p<0.05). The negative perceptions were mainly linked to the lack of local awareness and screening programs. The study recommends widespread blood group and Rh factor screening to better meet blood demand and hospital emergencies.
Artisanal gold mining in Mukungwe is a vital activity for local socio-economic stability and the development of South Kivu province, with an estimated annual production of 70 kilograms of gold. Before its boom around 1960, the area boasted a forest and aquatic ecosystem rich in biodiversity. However, the intensification of mining activities has led to significant environmental degradation and socio-health disruptions. In this context, where gold mining coexists with agro-pastoral activities, the perceptions of mining impacts by both artisanal miners and non-miners remain poorly documented. This study aimed to gather their perceptions of the environmental and socio-health effects of gold mining in Mukungwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 112 participants (70 artisanal miners and 42 non-miners) using a questionnaire. Furthermore, the records of the Mukungwe Health Center were consulted for the period from June to December 2012. The results indicate a markedly negative perception regarding school dropout rates, an increase in illnesses, the discharge of mercury, cyanide, and mining effluents into the Nantanda and Kalazi rivers, as well as the loss of forests and wildlife. Inadequate protective equipment and the health risks associated with mining wastewater are also highlighted. Conversely, some social achievements (improved spring, schools, health center, 15 km road) are perceived positively. The study recommends sustainable and responsible mining practices that include reforestation of degraded areas.
The low cassava production recorded in farmers’ fields in Kiyaka suggests attacks caused by Helopeltis sp. as well as certain marginal cultural practices that may be responsible for the extent of the damage caused by this insect. In this context, a trial was conducted at Kiyaka- Plateau to determine the impact of damage caused by Helopeltis sp. on cassava tuberous root yield. The study involved five improved cassava varieties currently being disseminated throughout the province.
The objective of this study was to identify the types of damage and assess their impact on yield in order to establish pest management options. The experiment was carried out using a splitplot design with three replications and five treatments corresponding to the five cassava varieties. The performance of the five tested varieties with respect to damage caused by.
Helopeltis sp. was evaluated based on the percentage of attacked plants (incidence) and the degree of damage for each variety (severity). The pest population observed was determined by systematically counting the number of individuals recorded.
This study examines the perceptions of the population of the city of Bukavu regarding the integration of sexual and reproductive education programs into the school curriculum for adolescents. It is based on the observation that adolescents often grow up in ignorance and face numerous challenges related to sexuality and reproductive health, due to the lack of appropriate information spaces and the limited involvement of some parents and educators in addressing these issues. To this end, 47 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents, civil society actors, health professionals, and educators working in primary and secondary education in Bukavu. In addition, three focus groups were held with 23 adolescents aged 10 to 19. A document analysis was also carried out, drawing on the activities of civil society organizations engaged in promoting sexual and reproductive education. The findings reveal largely repressive perceptions of sexual and reproductive education in both family and school settings. These forms of resistance, rooted in social, cultural, and religious norms, limit the ability of parents and teachers to support adolescents in their sexual development. However, the young participants expressed the need to move beyond taboos in order to access reliable information that would enable them to better understand their bodies, make informed choices, and prevent the negative consequences of the absence of sexual education. The study suggests a participatory, gender-sensitive, and culturally contextualized educational approach, prioritizing the engagement of adolescents in a process of empowerment that enables them to better understand their bodies, make informed choices, and reduce their vulnerability to sexual and reproductive risks.
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