A brief introduction to the Congo rainforests :
The Congo is one of Earth’s largest rivers, also known as the Congo Basin. It is covered by
rich tropical rainforests, savannas and swamps. There, we find a unique endangered plant, to animal species like the bonobo or the ebony. It not only is biodiversity-rich, but it shelters a population of over millions and provides tons of natural resources. We are highly dependent on it, as it plays a major role in the health of our planet.
So, what are the stakes for the Congo rainforest?
First, because of small-scale subsistence agriculture, clearing for charcoal and fuelwood,
urban expansion, and mining, deforestation puts the Congo rainforest in great danger.
People clear lands for agriculture, finally affecting the wildlife too. In 2017, the Congo
rainforest would have suffered a tree cover loss of almost 1,8 million hectares.
Communities of Indigenous people, the Pygmies, and 150 different ethnic groups cohabitate
on the land. Poverty runs through and this kind of farming is their only livelihood option, going into increasingly fragile ecosystems and disappearing forests. A study found out that the Congo Basin may be gone by the end of the century.
Another issue comes from the expansion of illegal and unsustainable logging. For example,
logging roads have enticed commercial hunting, resulting in Congo rainforest’ 60 percent
drop of its elephant population in less than a decade.
There are bigger threats as well, like industrial plantations and sugar production. Quite
frankly, these are all just some of the main detrimental factors menacing the ecosystem.
Solution?
People like Remy Sahiga, an activist living in the Congo Basin, hope to use our voices to raise awareness. This is an urgent matter. The world relies on its resources and that is why we need to take action. Joining movements, plans of protection and restoration are to be settled and this global abuse we are impelling on the Congo Basin needs to be stopped.
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