The rainforest the world forgot: the Congo basin is the second largest on Earth, so why is it being neglected?

Why in news

The Science Panel for the Congo Basin highlighted a funding imbalance where the Congo basin receives only 16% of global tropical forest funding compared to the Amazon's 47%.

Background

The Congo basin is the world's second-largest rainforest and absorbs 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. A CIFOR-ICRAF report revealed a significant funding disparity between the Congo basin and the Amazon basin.

Facts for Prelims

• FactCongo basin absorbs 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually
• FactCongo basin receives 16% of global tropical forest funding
• FactAmazon basin receives 47% of global tropical forest funding
• PlaceBrazzaville hosted a meeting of leaders and scientists from Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong basins

For Mains

Q. Discuss the geopolitical and ecological implications of unequal international funding for tropical forest conservation in the Congo Basin versus the Amazon.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Funding disparity: Disproportionate allocation of climate finance to the Amazon over the Congo Basin
• Carbon sink degradation: Declining CO2 absorption due to deforestation in the Congo basin
• Policy oversight: Lack of inclusion of the Congo basin in global climate policy frameworks

Keywords: Carbon sinks · Deforestation · Climate finance · Biodiversity conservation · Tropical rainforests

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