Logging threatens Congo biodiversity - campaigners

Environmental groups have warned of a climate and biodiversity catastrophe if the Democratic Republic of Congo lifts a moratorium on new industrial logging permits.

Last month, the DR Congo government said it planned to end the ban which was imposed 19 years ago. 

Campaigners said more than one-million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest growing on peat swamps could be handed over to loggers. 

If disturbed the swamps could release more than 10-billion tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, worsening global warming, they said.

Endangered species including gorillas, forest elephants and okapi would be under threat.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP