Afrormosia Tree in Congo

Afrormosia, a highly valued tropical hardwood, stands tall in the village of Yafunga. Afrormosia is a protected tree species whose international trade is strictly regulated (listed under CITES Appendix II). Such trees are logged by SAFBOIS in the rainforest surrounding small communities including Yafunga. Approximately 40 million people in the DRC depend on the rainforest for their basic needs, such as medicine, food or shelter.

Unique identifier: GP0Y8X

Type: Image

Shoot date: 23/03/2007

Locations: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Orientale, Yafunga

Credit line: © Greenpeace / Jiro Ose

Ranking: ★★★★★★ (B)

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Democratic Republic Congo Forests Documentation 2007

The second largest rainforest in the world sits in the Congo basin of Africa. About half of this forest, still largely intact, lies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and supports more species of birds and mammals than any other African region. The rainforests are also critical for its human inhabitants, who depend upon the rainforests to provide essential food, medicine, and other non-timber products, along with energy and building materials. The World Bank and other donors view logging as a way to alleviate poverty and promote economic development. In reality, expansion of logging into remaining areas of intact forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will destroy globally critical carbon reserves and impact biodiversity. Beyond environmental impacts, logging in the region exacerbates poverty and leads to social conflicts.

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Democratic Republic Congo Forests Documentation 2007

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