The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a significant challenge with deforestation, as evidenced by the latest fire incident in the Tanganyika region. Over the years, the DRC has seen a substantial decline in its tree cover. Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture is the predominant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for an overwhelming majority of the deforestation. This practice has led to the loss of millions of hectares of forest, with the total tree cover loss reaching staggering heights in recent years.
The country's vast area of over 232 million hectares, with a tree cover extent of approximately 199 million hectares, has been under persistent threat. The net change in tree cover has been negative, with a net loss of around 6 million hectares, which equates to a 3.55% decrease in tree cover. The latest incident, a solitary fire alert, may seem minor in comparison to the historical data, but it underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the DRC's forests to various disturbances, including wildfires.
Explore country profileThe impact of these losses is not just environmental but also has significant implications for the carbon emissions, with billions of milligrams of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere over the years. As the DRC continues to grapple with these challenges, the focus on preserving its remaining forests becomes ever more critical.
