Impacts
The Congo Rainforest is one of the world's most threatened ecosystems. Logging and Agriculture, has destroyed parts of the rainforests, and displaced forest dwellers. Since the 1980s, Africa has had the highest deforestation rates of any region on the globe. Mining severely damages the rainforest environment, as vast areas are cleared, roads are built to access the mines, the machinery compacts the soil and water courses damaged.
The indigenous peoples have long depended entirely on the rainforest , for their livelihood, medicinal practices and culture. But now, this could disappear. Commercial hunting and deforestation as well, threaten the rich ecosystem of the Congo rainforests.
“…since we were expelled from our lands, death is following us. We bury people nearly every day. We are heading towards extinction. Our culture is dying too…” Twa man displaced from the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Though being rich in minerals and forests, The Congo rainforest is among the poorest countries in the world . Businessmen and government exploit the land and the people for their own wealth.
The wise Efe Moke once said: "You will understand why we are called People of the Forest….When the forest dies, we shall die."