Worker in Sodefor Log Camp in Congo

A worker with several large cut logs in a Sodefor log park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 21 million hectares of rainforest are currently allocated to the logging industry. Most of DRC’s timber is exported to Europe, with France and Belgium currently the largest importers. Expansion of logging into remaining areas of intact forests in the DRC will destroy globally critical carbon reserves and impact biodiversity. Beyond environmental impacts, logging in the region exacerbates poverty and leads to social conflicts.

Containers

Shoot:

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.

Related Collections:

"Countdown to Extinction" Report Collection

Democratic Republic Congo Forests Documentation 2007 (Photos & Videos)

Conceptually similar

Unique identifier: GP0104W

Type: Image

Shoot date: 29/01/2007

Locations: Africa, Bandundu, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madjoko

Size: 4368px × 2912px 10.06 MB

Ranking: ★★★★★★ (B)