The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with significant tree cover loss, a recent incident in Lualaba highlighting the ongoing environmental challenges. The country, with an area of over 232 million hectares, has experienced a net loss of approximately 6 million hectares of tree cover, which is about 3.55% of its total tree cover extent. Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver, responsible for the vast majority of this loss.
The data reveals a worrying trend of increasing deforestation over the years, with the highest annual loss recorded in 2017, at nearly 1.47 million hectares. Urbanization, while contributing to a lesser extent, has also been a consistent factor. The impact of wildfires, although relatively small in comparison to other drivers, remains a concern, as evidenced by the latest fire alert in Lualaba.
Explore country profileThe DRC's rich biodiversity and vast forest reserves are under threat, with implications for carbon emissions and local ecosystems. The country's struggle with deforestation is a complex issue, requiring attention and action to preserve its natural heritage for future generations.
