A new fire incident was reported on December 8, 2024, in the North-Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), adding to the country's environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, the DRC has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of the loss. The data reveals a net loss of 6 million hectares of tree cover, representing a 3.55% decrease from the stable tree cover. Urbanization, forestry, and wildfires also contribute to the loss, though to a much lesser extent than agriculture.
The DRC's vast forested area, which originally spanned over 199 million hectares, plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem. The loss of tree cover not only affects local biodiversity and habitats but also has broader implications for climate change and carbon emissions. The latest fire incident in North-Kivu is a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental pressures facing the country.
Explore country profile