In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a recent fire incident in the North-Kivu region underscores the environmental challenges the country is facing. Over the past two decades, DRC has experienced a significant loss of its tree cover. The country, which boasts an area of over 232 million hectares, has seen its tree cover extent reduced by 3.55%, a net loss of approximately 6 million hectares when accounting for gains in tree cover.
Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of this deforestation, accounting for the vast majority of tree cover loss. Urbanization, while contributing to a lesser extent, still plays a significant role in the changing landscape. The impact of wildfires, although comparatively small in terms of area, remains a concern for the health of the remaining forests and their capacity to sequester carbon.
Explore country profileThe DRC's rich biodiversity and vast forested areas are crucial for the global fight against climate change. The loss of tree cover not only affects the local ecosystems and biodiversity but also has broader implications for carbon emissions and climate regulation. The recent fire incident in North-Kivu is a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental challenges and the need for concerted efforts to protect and restore these vital natural resources.
