US EditionEndangered Gorilla Habitats Threatened in Rebel-Held Congo
- Rwanda-Backed M23 rebels seized Bukavu and parts of eastern Congo, including Kahuzi-Biega National Park, in February 2025.
- The rebels' advance reopened roads that were formerly restricted, which led to a surge in illegal logging for charcoal and timber in the area.
- Residents, environmentalists, and charcoal traders report increased tree felling near the UNESCO-listed park, home to Grauer's gorillas and many bird species.
- At least 3,000 bags of charcoal weighing up to 70 kilograms enter Bukavu daily, with prices dropping from about $40 to less than half amid higher supply, NGO head Josue Aruna said.
- Environmental organizations have sent a letter urging the M23 faction to halt unlawful logging activities, cautioning that ongoing environmental harm could lead to permanent loss of biodiversity and endanger the park's future.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Logging in rebel-held DRC threatens gorillas, alarms environmentalists
Tropical forests in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that fell into rebel hands this year have seen a spike in illegal logging to produce charcoal and timber, residents and environmentalists said, raising fears of large-scale degradation.
Illegal logging in rebel-held Congo threatens gorillas, alarms environmentalists
KABARE, Democratic Republic of Congo - Tropical forests in eastern Congo that fell into rebel hands this year have seen a spike in illegal logging to produce charcoal and timber, residents and environmentalists said, raising fears of large-scale degradation. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The destruction of tropical forests is progressing at a high rate: According to a study in 2024, an area almost as large as Bavaria was lost, which is the highest figure in 20 years.
In view of the progressive climate change, the destruction of tropical primeval forests has reached the highest level in more than two decades in 2024. According to the research organization World Resources Institute (WRI), last year a total of 6.7 million hectares of tropical forest were destroyed - which corresponds to approximately one area of Bavaria's size.
The destruction of tropical primeval forests has reached the highest level in at least two decades: in 2024 tropical forest was destroyed by the size of Panama
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