Environmental problems in Burundi

Deforestation almost complete

For years, surviving from war was the priority for most people in Burundi. Now, the onus is on making sure that the country can develop without sacrificing its remaining natural resource base. What are the problems?

Deforestation

Deforestation of the entire country is almost complete due to  forest fires, fuelwood collection, construction material needs and agricultural land expansion. All these factors are driven by overpopulation.

Montane forests have been intensively exploited and very little of them remain. For example, a sub-montane forest, situated between 1,000 and 1,600 m in eastern Burundi, no longer exists.

Even steep forested slopes, which until recently were generally not used for agriculture, are also being cleared because of land shortage.

In addition to loss of biodiversity, deforestation has caused major erosion, which is seen by increased turbidity of many rivers.


Illegal and unsustainable wildlife exploitation

Species that have already disappeared from Burundi because of hunting include lions, African elephants, black rhinoceros, elands and gorillas.

Hunting is mostly carried out in protected areas, targeting mammals, birds and reptiles. These practices fulfill home and medicinal products needs, and to a lesser degree, trade. Primates are particularly at risk from hunting.

Unsustainable fishing practices include the use of gill nets and overfishing using industrial means. Meanwhile, the aquarium fisheries industry may be affecting the population sizes of several target species.


Infrastructure development and urbanization

In urban areas, population growth leads to increasing space needs. In some places, this expansion has happened at the expense of ecologically sensitive area. For instance, the capital Bujumbura is expanding towards the Rusizi Delta, a high biodiversity area, while Rumonge is expanding towards the Murembwe River.


Pollution

Urban waste from Bujumbura is a potential source of contamination for the biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika, along with pesticides used in Rusizi plain. Another problem is the use of toxic products in fisheries.