Covering nearly a third of the planet’s land surface, forests and woodlands are key pillars of human livelihoods and well-being. The largest areas of surviving old-growth forests (OGF) and forest habitats in Europe (outside of Russia) are found primarily in Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia and Bulgaria. They are home to Europe’s largest surviving large carnivore populations, as well … [Read more...]
Time to declare this gorilla haven a national park
The Cameroon Prime Minister’s office announced the suspension of logging plans in Ebo forest on Tuesday, 11 August. The suspension of logging plans, which Greenpeace Africa called “a massacre”, leaves the fate of Ebo forest and the rights of local Banen communities entirely unclear. Ebo forest is essential for more than 40 local Banen communities. Amidst a global coronavirus … [Read more...]
Plans for logging in Ebo Forest denounced by civil society
Greenpeace Africa and local communities denounce a decision by the Government of Cameroon to open up 68,385 hectares of pristine rainforest to logging. The fate of a 65,007 ha zone of Ebo, also threatened with logging, remains unclear and must also be spared from chainsaws. The 14 July decree to log a zone about half the size of London blatantly ignores requests by local … [Read more...]
World Environment Day calls for an end to nature’s destruction
One million plant and animal species risk extinction, largely due to human activities. These are issues the world cannot lose sight of even as we tackle the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing climate crisis. The theme for World Environment Day, 5 June 2020, is biodiversity — a call to action to combat the accelerating species loss and degradation of the natural … [Read more...]
Victory for nature and the rule of law in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court suspended the execution of Pirin National Park's new management plan, which would have allowed construction in 66% and logging in 48% of the national park and World Heritage Site. WWF-Bulgaria has been fighting to prohibit new logging and construction in Pirin National Park since November 2016, activities that would endanger many … [Read more...]
Large illegal logging operation uncovered in Mozambique
In October 2019 a successful security operation led to the arrest of several suspects involved in a large illegal logging operation in Mozambique’s Coutada 4, a hunting concession that lies on the northern border of Zinave National Park. After hearing what sounded like chainsaw operations in an area where logging is strictly prohibited and having suspicions confirmed by … [Read more...]
Illegal logging returns to Congo forests despite carbon threat
The Congolese Minister of Environment, Amy Ambatobe, has reinstated 6,500 km² of logging concessions that were cancelled in August 2016 by the then Environment Minister Robert Bopolo following instructions from then Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo. The three concessions reinstated on 1 February 2018 were awarded to the Chinese-owned logging companies Forestière pour le … [Read more...]
Thirsty trees threaten water resources
Environmental pressure group GeaSphere is calling for a halt to the expansion of the industrial timber plantation model in southern Africa, citing the exorbitant water use of the timber species as a primary concern. The impacts on water resources, evident at the mills where the timber is processed to pulp and paper, is also a major issue. At least 6kl of water is used to … [Read more...]
