Analysis of the Rate of Deforestation in Post-conflict Areas in the DRC: Case of Community Forests Around Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Kabare North

Deforestation rates in post-conflict areas around Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reached 22.47%, despite universal afforestation efforts by local communities. The study, conducted in community forests surrounding PNKB in Kabare North, highlights that agricultural expansion, firewood collection for cooking, and illegal wood exploitation—exacerbated by refugee influxes and conflict-driven displacement—are primary drivers of deforestation. Traditional cooking methods, such as braziers, further strain forest resources, with Rwandan refugees' massive influx in 1994 marking a turning point in ecological degradation. The research employs a quantitative approach to assess deforestation trends, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable land-use strategies to mitigate environmental impacts in post-conflict regions.

Alain Ntamutudu Masumbuko*, V. B. B. (2022). ANALYSIS OF THE RATE OF DEFORESTATION IN POST-CONFLICT AREAS IN THE DRC: CASE OF COMMUNITY FORESTS AROUND KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK IN KABARE NORTH. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.6952818