CONGO BASIN

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Context:

Despite its crucial ecological importance, the Congo Basin receives significantly less funding compared to the Amazon and the Borneo-Mekong basins in Southeast Asia.

Key facts about the basin

The Basin stretches across six countries- Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Congo Basin and its contiguous forests represent the second largest tropical forest and river network on Earth. The contiguous forests of the Congo Basin cover 2.4 million square kilometers.

The Basin is home to the world’s largest tropical peatlands, along with Brazil and Indonesia. The Congo River and its tributaries drain 3.68 million square kilometers. The climate of the Congo Basin is hot and humid. Total rainfall is typically over 1.5 metres a year.

The base of Mount Cameroon is one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving over 10 metres of rain annually.

Significance of the basin

Act as carbon sink:

Globally, the Congo Basin helps regulate the climate system, and African tropical forests absorb 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, four percent of all the world’s fossil fuel emissions.  They are also the world’s most efficient carbon-capturing ecosystem. Congo basin peatlands are an effective carbon sink – they absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they produce.

Biodiversity:

There are an overwhelming 10.000 species of plants, including 3.000 that are found only here: 600 tree species, 1000 bird species, 900 species of butterflies, 280 species of reptiles and 400 species of mammals. Some of the important species are the lowland gorillas, bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees), forest elephants, okapi – the forest giraffe – and the Congolese peacock.

Livelihood:

The ecosystems of the Congo Basin directly support the livelihoods of approximately 80 million local people, including benefits from agriculture, selective logging, collecting non-timber forest products and many other activities.

Threat

Deforestation in the Congo Basin is changing rapidly.  In 2022, a tree-covered area of 15 603 km2 was lost, according to recent satellite data.

Initiatives taken

Together with governments, regional initiatives such as Blue Fund for the Congo Basin, and partners such as the Central African Forest Initiative, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, Forest Investment Program, Global Environment Facility, PROGREEN, and REDD+ for conservation.

The World Bank is committed to supporting forest-smart development in the Congo Basin, putting people at the center.

Recently in August 2024 Africa’s first High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative (HIFOR) project launched in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of the Congo. This project was endorsed by the Republic of Congo’s Forest Carbon Task Force, chaired by Prime Minister of Congo.

Must read articles

Congo river: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/congo-river#:~:text=The%20Congo%20Basin%20encompasses%20diverse,Amazon%20Rainforest%20in%20South%20America.

PEATLANDS: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/peatlands  ,  https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/peatlands-50

DR Congo: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/dr-congo

Three basins threat report: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/three-basins-threat-report

Source

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/critical-ecosystems-congo-basin-peatlands#:~:text=The%20Basin%20stretches%20across%20six,Congo%2C%20Equatorial%20Guinea%20and%20Gabon.

https://congobasinscience.net/congo-basin/facts/

https://www.nicfi.no/partner-countries/the-congo-basin/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Give an account of the Congo basin and its significance in fighting climate change. Discuss the measures taken by the international organizations and the regional governments to conserve the basin. (250 words)