The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a fire incident in the Haut-Lomami region as of August 11, 2024, against a backdrop of significant deforestation trends. Over two decades, the DRC has experienced a net loss of 6,001,904.69 hectares in tree cover, which is a 3.55% decrease from its original tree cover extent. The majority of this loss, consistently over the years, is attributed to shifting agriculture, which alone accounts for an overwhelming percentage of the tree cover loss.
This deforestation has had a profound impact on the country's carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere. While the DRC has seen some gains in tree cover, the net loss indicates ongoing challenges in forest management and land use. The latest fire incident, although seemingly isolated, is a reminder of the persistent threats to the DRC's forests, which are crucial for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of local communities.
Explore country profile