By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Dr. Djibril S. Dayamba, Programme Officer African Forest Forum (AFF) has stated that unsustainable logging, charcoal production, mining among others are identified as the main drivers of forest-cover loss in Africa.
He made the statement at a Hybrid Forum for Africa Forest Reporters and Editor on the sidelines of XV World Forestry Congress held at Seoul, South Korea.
The hybrid session for reporters and editors brought together an esteemed panel for an interactive discussion on transformative pathways for enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa through the application of nature-based solutions.
According to him, ninety (90) percent of world’s deforestation is taking place in the tropics and Africa accounts the highest share of this proportion, revealing that of the world’s six regions, Africa lost the largest area to deforestation in 2010-2020 surpassing South America.
He pointed out that unsustainable logging, charcoal production, mining and pole production are the key drivers of forest cover in Africa, adding that agriculture expansion, shifting cultivation, settlements and urban development, aquaculture in mangrove forests and bushfires are also among the key drivers of forest cover loss in Africa.
AFF Programme Officer, further stated that indirect factors of forest cover lost in Africa includes unfair development policies, conflicting sectoral policies, policies and institutional failures and poverty, outlining that population growth, local and international markets, conflicts and civil wars, corruption, unemployment and cultural factors are also indirect drivers of forest cover loss in Africa.
According to him, the vision of the sustainable forest management framework (SFMF), for Africa envisioned that by 2063, Africa will have zero-deforestation and forest degradation and its forest will be protected managed sustainably and restored through collaborative, cross-sectoral and transformative efforts to ensure the prosperity, food security and resilience of its people.
Dayamaba, continued to state that better Knowledge of available resources to allow adequate planning; development policies that consider the environment and forest; coordinated sectoral policies rationalised use of forest land for agriculture and mining; enforcement of existing suitable laws among others will go a long way in protecting forest cover loss in Africa, highlighting that the practice of agroforestry to minimize the clearing of new forest sites; alternative used of firewood and improved energy efficiency will also helped to preserved Africa forest cover.
The theme for the event is ‘Strengthening Forest Management for Enhanced Livelihoods and Resilience in a Changing Environment in Africa”.