- Biodiversity
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Congo Gorilla Killings Fueled by Illegal Charcoal Trade
Comment from the contributor:
National Geographic writes that it's possible that the illegal trade of charcoal poses the greatest threat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park. There is a growing demand for charcoal, which is used for cooking and heating, and the park's forest is quickly being depleted as a result. The rare species of mountain gorillas are being harmed by the demand for charcoal, as they continue to be a hindrance for the traders. Gorillas are being murdered as rebel militias fight over the park's resources. The charcoal trade in Goma is a massive industry, estimated to be worth 30 million U.S. dollars. In 2004 Rwanda passed a law banning the production of charcoal within its borders, which put pressure on the country to find charcoal somewhere else.
