New Loggers Threaten DRC Rainforest, Environmentalists Warn

A tropical rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that is more than twice the size of France is at risk of being cut down, a coalition of environmental campaigners under Greenpeace Africa has warned.Congolese Environment Minister, Robert Bopolo Bogeza recently stated that the government would lift a moratorium on the allocation of new logging licenses, while outlining priorities for 2016, citing what he called its financial benefits.

The moratorium was introduced in 2002 to regain control of the country’s timber industry, which was riddled with illegal logging.

A statement by the environmental campaign group issued from London, England on Wednesday warned that the threat may become more real as the DRC government considers allowing new logging companies access to the forest.