50 Stories: Conserving the Congo Basin’s forests

WWF Canada



On April 29, 2011, WWF celebrated 50 years of environmental conservation. Join us as we highlight 50 stories in 50 days, looking back at what we’ve achieved together and looking forward to another 50 years.
Africa has a green heart – a pulsing expanse of rivers and forests, rich in culture, wildlife and natural resources, with a vibrant population. The Congo Basin is the world’s second largest tropical rainforest, covering 2 million sq km – that’s an area roughly the size of Europe.

Children selling coal in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (c) Kate Holt/WWF-UK
What’s at stake?
From rare butterflies to elephants and great apes, the Congo Basin’s forests support an amazing array of wildlife, provide food, water and shelter for 75 million people and store a huge amount of carbon.
Their destruction is unthinkable. Species – including our closest relatives – could become extinct. People already labouring under extreme poverty would not have the resources to lift themselves up. Climate change would accelerate, leading to similar destruction all over the world.
The story so far
A decade ago the unthinkable looked like it would become a reality.
Illegal and unsustainable logging, compounded by weak forest management, resulted in the destruction of more than 90,000 sq km of forests in central Africa between 1990 and 2000. Wildlife poaching was also rife, threatening species such as elephants, rhinos and gorillas.
By the turn of the millennium, the situation was critical. Something had to be done.
That’s why we organized the Yaoundé Summit, a high level summit of heads of state from six Congo Basin countries. This led to the Yaoundé Declaration, where countries promised to cooperate to conserve the forests of the Congo Basin – the Green Heart of Africa.
In the last 10 years, they’ve done an amazing job. More than 10% of the forest is now covered by two massive conservation areas. Another 45,000 sq km is being managed sustainably, with Forest Stewardship Council certification. And at a second summit in 2005, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) committed to protecting another 150,000 sq km.
Did you know?
 
If the Congo basin’s forests disappeared, several species could become extinct. They include the bonobo, our closest relative, and the okapi, a rare horse-like creature with a brown body and brown-and-white-striped legs.
Facts and stats
 

  • 10% – amount of Congo Basin forests we’ve helped protect
  • 75 million – number of people who depend on the Congo Basin for food and shelter
  • 400 – mammal species found in the Congo Basin

What next?
 
We’re working tirelessly to make sure the green heart of Africa continues to beat and remain green – benefiting not only its own people and species, but the whole world.
Another summit is planned for 2011. We hope countries will commit to:

  • expand the area of protected and certified forest
  • improve protection for flagship species such as great apes and elephants
  • put in place policies to make sure new infrastructure, such as roads and dams, is sustainable.

What you can do
Illegal and unsustainable logging threatens the communities and wildlife of the Congo Basin. Support people and the environment by buying FSC-certified wood and paper products.
Read more about our work in the Congo Basin.
 
Be part of the celebration!