As the sun dips below the horizon along the Congo River, Jean de Dieu Mokuma, alongside his wife Marie-Therese and their two young children, navigates a precarious journey. Their raft, laden with timber, is a testament to the dual challenges of survival and environmental stewardship that millions face in this vital ecosystem. This journey, from the province of Sud-Ubangi to Kinshasa, underscores the urgent need to balance economic necessity with the preservation of one of the planet’s most biodiverse environments.
A Lifeline for Millions
The Congo River basin, stretching an impressive 2,900 miles (4,700 km) and spanning six nations, is not only a lifeline for Mokuma’s family but also for countless others who rely on its resources for their livelihoods. The river nourishes expansive networks of rainforests and swamps and serves as a critical economic artery for a population that is rapidly growing. In Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the demand for timber and charcoal is insatiable, driven by a population exceeding 18 million people who frequently turn to these resources for everyday energy needs.
Mokuma’s story is echoed by many who find themselves at the mercy of corrupt port officials and the treacherous currents of the river. Stranded overnight outside the bustling town of Mbandaka, his family faces the unsettling reality of having parts of their motor removed as a form of extortion to ensure payment of dubious taxes. Yet, if they can navigate these obstacles and deliver their cargo, the potential reward of $300 (£220) awaits them—a crucial sum for their survival.
The Biodiversity Crisis
The Congo basin is not just a crucial economic resource; it is also one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions, hosting over 10,000 plant species, 400 mammal species, 1,000 bird species, and 700 fish species. It plays a significant role in combating climate change, sequestering approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually. However, this rich biodiversity is under threat from unchecked population growth and the exploitation of natural resources.
Erick Bayo, a ranger in the Bombo-Lumene nature reserve, highlights the stark realities of conservation efforts in the region. The reserve, which safeguards 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of some of the last intact forests near Kinshasa, faces rampant illegal activities. During a recent patrol, Bayo and a team of Congolese troops encountered felled trees and abandoned charcoal production sites, highlighting the urgent need for effective enforcement of environmental protections.
“There was fighting here so the community fled,” Bayo explains, indicating that the illegal charcoal trade persists even in the absence of its local inhabitants. Kinshasa’s soaring demand for affordable cooking fuel drives this destructive industry, leading to significant deforestation and environmental degradation.
The Hidden Treasure of Peatlands
Recent discoveries have unveiled the existence of vast peatlands beneath the swamp forests of the Congo basin, particularly in the Cuvette Centrale region. These peatlands, located across the DRC and the Republic of the Congo, contain an astonishing 30 billion tonnes of trapped carbon, underscoring the ecological significance of the area. However, conservation efforts are complicated by political and economic pressures, such as the controversial plans for oil and gas drilling rights that were controversially set to be auctioned in 2024 but have since been cancelled.
In the village of Lokolama, situated in the heart of this ecosystem, local leaders like Jean-Pierre Ahetoa express their newfound understanding of the importance of peatlands. “It was new for us to discover the word peatland, and learn that our land lets us all breathe clean oxygen,” he notes. The community has developed an informal conservation strategy, balancing agricultural needs with the necessity to preserve their environment.
Navigating the Complex Supply Chain
The journey along the Congo River paints a vivid picture of the intricate and often opaque supply chains that characterise the timber trade. Vast barges filled with logs travel downstream, resembling floating cities as traders and boat crews camp along the banks, bartering for food and resources. Upon reaching the port of Kinkole, the scene is a bustling interplay of commerce, with workers scrambling to secure their cargo amidst chaotic activity.
Yet, the legality of many forest concessions within the DRC remains questionable, with research suggesting that a significant portion operates outside of regulatory frameworks. Since 2001, the DRC has lost an alarming 21 million hectares (52 million acres) of forest, jeopardising the future of what is often referred to as the “lungs of Africa.”
Why it Matters
The plight of families like Mokuma’s is emblematic of a broader environmental crisis that intertwines human survival with the urgent need for conservation. As the Congo basin faces relentless exploitation, the fight to protect its invaluable resources becomes increasingly critical. The balance between economic necessity and ecological preservation is not just a local issue—it is a global imperative, as the fate of this biodiverse region has far-reaching implications for climate change and biodiversity preservation worldwide. The time to act is now, for the future of the Congo, and indeed our planet, hangs in the balance.
