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2 Sept 2024

DRC's Haut-Lomami Region Witnesses New Fire Incident Amid Ongoing Tree Cover Challenges
DRC's Haut-Lomami Region Witnesses New Fire Incident Amid Ongoing Tree Cover Challenges

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a new fire incident in the Haut-Lomami region, adding to the country's environmental concerns. Over the years, the DRC has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of this decline. The data reveals that from 2001 to 2022, the country lost over 7.50 million hectares of tree cover, which is a 3.55% decrease from its original tree cover extent.

Shifting agriculture remains the leading cause of tree cover loss, with incidents such as wildfires and urbanization also contributing to the decline. Notably, the impact of wildfires on tree cover loss has been relatively small in comparison to other factors. However, the latest fire alert underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the DRC's forests to various disturbances.

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The DRC's vast forested area, which originally spanned over 199 million hectares, has seen a net loss of approximately 6 million hectares over the analyzed period. While there has been some gain in tree cover, amounting to over 1.50 million hectares, it has not been sufficient to offset the losses incurred. The country's net change in tree cover reflects a persistent challenge in maintaining its forest resources amidst various anthropogenic pressures.

The recent incident in Haut-Lomami serves as a reminder of the continuous threat that fires pose to the DRC's forests. It also highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and strategies to mitigate the impact of human activities on the country's precious tree cover.

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