"Uncontrolled Logging Puts New Sahel Reforestation Projects At Risk"

"Reforestation projects to restore degraded lands in Chad and Cameroon, like the “Great Green Wall” and the “Reforestation 1400” projects, are facing increasing pressure from logging activity.

Facing poverty, war and corrupt local authorities, locals and refugees are cutting trees in new protected areas for firewood or to sell charcoal.

Local environmental defence organizations, officials and administrations who lead these reforestation projects are raising the alarm about the extent of deforestation which is contributing to desertification in these areas.

Despite alternative solutions to excessive logging being proposed and implemented, locals are still harvesting from reforested areas.

This report was produced with the support of the Rainforest Journalism Fund in partnership with the Pulitzer Center."

Yannick Kenné, Sabré Na-Ideyam, and Georges Messi report for Mongabay, translated by Cait Fahy, October 6, 2023.

Source: Mongabay, 10/10/2023