DRC's Haut-Katanga Witnesses Lone Fire Incident Amidst Ongoing Tree Cover Challenges

DRC's Haut-Katanga Witnesses Lone Fire Incident Amidst Ongoing Tree Cover Challenges

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a solitary fire incident in the Haut-Katanga region as of August 14, 2024, against a backdrop of significant environmental changes. With an area spanning over 232 million hectares, the DRC's rich tree cover has experienced a net loss of approximately 7.59 million hectares over the years. This loss represents a 3.55% decrease in tree cover, a concerning figure given the country's vast forested landscapes.

Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of tree cover loss, accounting for the majority of the hectares lost annually. Other contributing factors include urbanization, forestry activities, and wildfires, although to a much lesser extent. The cumulative impact of these activities has not only reduced the tree cover but also resulted in substantial CO2 emissions, further exacerbating the environmental impact.