An estimated 2 million hectares of forest are destroyed every year in the Congo Basin. In 2022 alone, the DRC lost more than half a million hectares, 13 percent of global deforestation. Only Brazil, which accounted for 43 percent, felled more trees.
Estelle Ewoule Lobe, cofounder and executive secretary of Action for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons and Environmental Migrants in Africa (APADIME), campaigns against illegal logging in Cameroon's Congo Basin. Lobe says Central African countries have made commitments to protect forests, but these are rarely respected due to problems with political governance and security."In addition to violating the law and international accords, these smugglers exploit forests without authorisation and violate the rights of indigenous peoples", says Lobe, denouncing "corruption" in Cameroonian forest management. "Some indigenous populations live in extreme poverty because logging companies don’t respect conditions in contracts that mandate building schools or water services."
The damage done to their habitats makes it difficult for Pygmies to care for themselves, says Gauthier. "They are completely dependent on the forest for their traditional medicines," she explains. "Cutting down the forest means depriving people of their habitat, their health and their food; everything they need to survive. They are destined to disappear."
Continuing to destroy the ecosystems of indigenous peoples risks losing their unique cultural traditions and identities. "Many indigenous peoples have already left the forest … some live in Kinshasa shanty towns," says Gauthier. "When they leave their environment, they lose a part of who they are. We're talking about a minority with an extremely fragile ecosystem. They are not safe from cultural extinction."
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230808-dependent-on-the-forest-the-fight-for-indigenous-peoples-rights-in-the-congo-basin
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George Kariuki
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78 w
The situation in the Congo Basin calls for urgent action at local, national, and international levels.
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Jengaj John
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78 w
Do they know that deforestation harms biomass and worsens climate change?
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Rukia Ahmed Abdi
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78 w
So devastating
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mercy nduta
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78 w
They must halt deforestation!
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Komu Daniel
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78 w
This is absurd
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Gorffly mokua
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78 w
This is worrying!! An immediate action should be taken.
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Elizabeth Gathigia
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78 w
This is alarming, urgent action needed to put an end to deforestation, it's big threat to our planet
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Princess
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78 w
This is a pressing concern ,as it threatens the incredible biodiversity and crucial carbon sequestration role of this vital rainforest.
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78 w
The situation in the Congo Basin calls for urgent action at local, national, and international levels.
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78 w
Do they know that deforestation harms biomass and worsens climate change?
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78 w
So devastating
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78 w
They must halt deforestation!
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78 w
This is absurd
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78 w
This is worrying!! An immediate action should be taken.
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78 w
This is alarming, urgent action needed to put an end to deforestation, it's big threat to our planet
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78 w
This is a pressing concern ,as it threatens the incredible biodiversity and crucial carbon sequestration role of this vital rainforest.
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78 w
@princess_nel very true dear
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@johnte_ndeto 💯
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78 w
Improved access to forests over the past twenty years has hastened harmful trends in a region with historically low rates of deforestation.