A recent incident in the Haut-Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has raised concerns about the country's environmental stability. On September 13, 2024, a fire alert was registered, adding to the country's history of tree cover loss and disturbances. Over the years, the DRC has seen a significant reduction in its tree cover due to various factors, with shifting agriculture being the predominant driver.
An analysis of historical data reveals that the DRC experienced a net loss of approximately 6 million hectares of tree cover, which is a 3.55% decrease from its original extent. Shifting agriculture alone was responsible for losses amounting to millions of hectares, overshadowing other factors like forestry, wildfires, and urbanization. Despite a gain of over 1.50 million hectares in tree cover, the net change remains negative, indicating a persistent challenge in reversing the trend.
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