The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) started the new year with a fire incident in the Haut-Uele region, a concerning event given the country's ongoing struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, the DRC has seen a significant reduction in its tree cover. Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture is the predominant driver, accounting for the vast majority of the tree cover loss, followed by urbanization, forestry, and wildfires.
The total area of tree cover loss from 2001 to 2022 is approximately 7.59 million hectares, which is a staggering figure considering the country's total tree cover extent of over 199 million hectares. This loss represents a net change of -3.55% in tree cover. Despite a tree cover gain of about 1.59 million hectares during the same period, the net loss stands at around 6 million hectares, indicating a persistent and troubling trend.
Explore country profileThe single fire incident recorded on January 1, 2025, although seemingly minor with just one count, is part of a larger pattern of disturbances that have affected over 14.50 million hectares of land. These incidents contribute to the broader environmental challenges faced by the DRC, a country that holds a significant portion of the Congo Basin's lush forests, which are crucial for global biodiversity and climate regulation.
