Congo deforestation. Burnt trees in a logged area of a tropical rainforest in the Congo Basin. This area has been cleared by loggers of its mature hardwood trees. The resulting open space is being used afterwards by farmers, poachers and other local people, leading to further deforestation. Local villagers use the logging tracks to reach the deforested areas, and burn the undergrowth to clear land for crops. This practice is known as slash-and-burn agriculture. The logged trees are turned in wood products, mostly for European markets. Photographed at Yabogengo, Oriental Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.