Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maputo (Fides Service)- Every year between 2000 and 2005 Africa lost 4 million hectares of forest mainly for conversion of forest land into farmland. Forestland in that period was reduced from 655,6 million hectares to 635,4 million, in all 20 million hectares less of forests. The deforestation in Africa alarm was sounded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO on the occasion of a meeting of the Commission Forest and sylvan Fauna, for Africa, in Maputo, capital of Mozambique.
Forest fires are another major threat for forests of this continent, top of the world list because to transform forestland in farmland or pasture it is customary to set it on fire. The phenomenon is seen to be more frequent in northern Angola, southern Democratic Congo, southern Sudan and Central African Republic. Africa has the second highest world forest loss rate after South America, and it is top of the world list for forest fires.
FAO has nevertheless registered several steps forward in policies to stop the phenomenon. In the past 15 years more than half of the countries in Africa adopted new forest laws and policies. Two thirds now have a programme for forest management at the national level. Unfortunately however, the UN agency said, the application of these measures is not easy, mainly because of lack of funds and chronic fragility of central institutions. In Africa people depend on forests in many ways and forests play and important part for both daily subsistence and, more in general, for the reduction of poverty. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/4/2006 righe 26 parole 322)
