The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is witnessing a concerning trend of escalating deforestation. Over the past two decades, the DRC has experienced a significant loss of tree cover, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of this reduction. The data reveals a net loss of 6,001,904.69 hectares of tree cover, equating to a 3.55% decrease in the country's total tree cover. This loss not only impacts the biodiversity and ecological balance of the region but also contributes to the emission of substantial amounts of greenhouse gases.
The latest incident in North-Kivu highlights the ongoing environmental challenges the country faces. On November 15, 2024, a fire alert was registered in the region, adding to the already critical situation of forest cover loss. While the number of incidents such as wildfires is relatively low compared to the damage caused by shifting agriculture and urbanization, they still play a role in the overall degradation of the DRC's forests.
Explore country profileThe DRC's vast forested area, covering nearly 200 million hectares, is a critical component of the global ecosystem. The loss of tree cover not only has local implications but also affects global climate regulation and carbon sequestration efforts. The persistent trend of deforestation, if not addressed, could lead to irreversible damage to one of the world's most important natural resources.
