It’s still Hungry People and Mining – Deforestation in Kahuzi-Biega National Park - Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Deforestation in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical habitat for Grauer’s gorillas, has worsened significantly from 1.40% to 5.58% between 2013 and 2023, driven primarily by agricultural expansion and small-scale mining. The highland region, home to the endangered gorillas, faces acute pressure despite its less mineral-rich volcanic rocks, which are less attractive to miners. This study, using high-resolution satellite imagery and field observations, reveals that farming and mining have fragmented forest corridors, isolating the upper and lower park regions. It advocates for a strategic conservation approach, prioritizing the protection of the gorilla population in the highlands while acknowledging the inevitable trade-offs required to address immediate threats.

Beck, R. A., Liu, H., Shu, S., & Wang, L. (2025). It’s still Hungry People and Mining – Deforestation in Kahuzi-Biega National Park - Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. IGARSS 2025 - 2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 3178–3181. https://doi.org/10.1109/igarss55030.2025.11242804