The Ivorian authorities report that the country loses about 200,000 hectares of forest each year due to farming and infrastructure development.
LCL Kone Joachim, Assistant to the County Director of the Ministry of Water and Forestry in Bouaké Department, Gbêkê Region, disclosed this on Saturday.
He made the revelation during a courtesy visit from a delegation of Climate Beyond Border Caravane (CBBC), an initiative of Planet People Peace Foundation (PPPF).
Joachim attributed the deforestation to expanding infrastructure projects and agricultural activities, warning that pressure on forests will increase significantly by 2030.
He explained that rapid urbanization, the development of new industrial zones, and farmland expansion will further accelerate deforestation across Ivory Coast.
Joachim emphasized that deforestation accounts for about 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the importance of forest conservation for climate action.
He said the ministry has developed a new policy focused on forest preservation, rehabilitation, and expansion to strengthen nationwide afforestation efforts.
The policy emphasizes biodiversity conservation, climate stability, sustainable socio-economic development, and adherence to Ivory Coast’s international commitments.
“In this policy, forest preservation, rehabilitation, and expansion will complement efforts by the government and the community through public-private partnerships critical for financing,” Joachim stated.
He called for increased national awareness and commitment to forest restoration to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems vital to Ivory Coast’s development.
Joachim also expressed concern over forest-related crimes such as poaching, bushfires, illegal logging, and trafficking activities that threaten forests, the environment, and local communities.
Responding, CBBC Lead Olatunji Francisco said PPPF recently partnered with E LAFI Foundation on a tree-planting initiative to combat deforestation in Ivory Coast.
Francisco described CBBC as a pan-African, youth-led initiative promoting climate justice, cross-border cooperation, and green economic transformation across the continent.
