Title:

Impact of emerging charcoal production in the Miombo Woodland of Chitembo - Bié Province, Angola

Author(s):
Abstract:

In Angola about 62,3% of the population  lives in urban areas and only about 37,7% lives in rural areas (2014 Angolan population census preliminary results), and has on fire wood, charcoal, bush meat, honey, insects, wild fruits, fresh fish water as main source of subsistence (MINADER/MINUA, 2006). This significant part of population in rural areas uses also firewood and charcoal as main source of domestic energy and additionally as income. The annual demand of firewood and charcoal is estimated in 6 millions of cubic meters per year, which corresponds, at market prices, of approximately 510 million US dollars not taking in PIB account. Angola has an enormous potential of forest biomass. The use of biomass to generate energy is responsible for 57% of total energy consumed in the country, the firewood and charcoal represents a primary source of energy for domestic needs.  In this context Luanda is the major centre of charcoal consumption produced in others provinces, particularly in Huambo, Bié and Cuando Cubango provinces, where high level of biomass extraction has been resulted in serious implications in the environment, resulting in deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Item Type:
Report
Language:
en