DRC Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Recent Fire Incident in Haut-Uele

DRC Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Recent Fire Incident in Haut-Uele

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a significant challenge with an escalating loss of tree cover. Over the past two decades, the DRC has experienced a net loss of approximately 6 million hectares of tree cover, which represents a 3.55% decrease in its total tree cover. The primary driver of this loss has been identified as shifting agriculture, accounting for the vast majority of the tree cover decline. Other contributing factors include urbanization, forestry practices, and wildfires, although to a much lesser extent.

The most recent incident in Haut-Uele, where a fire alert was reported on January 12, 2025, underscores the ongoing threats to the DRC's forests. While the number of fire incidents has been relatively low, the cumulative effect of these factors has had a substantial impact on the country's forested areas.