Mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are seeing their population grow, but their forest habitat is not expanding. Communities near the park have planted trees nearby for medicine, firewood, and crafts to ease pressure on gorilla habitats. The idea is to provide resources outside the park so residents don't cut trees inside. The forest is home to about 450 mountain gorillas, nearly half the world’s population. The Uganda Wildlife Authority distributes seedlings to help. Tourism supports conservation efforts, with visitors generating jobs and revenue. The project was highlighted around World Gorilla Day on September 24.
FILE - Firefighters spray water to put out wildfires burning through peatland forest in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File)
FILE - A firefighter sprays water in an attempt to extinguish a wildfire burning through a peatland forest in Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Regina Safri, File)
FILE - Deforestation from illegal mining is visible in the Tambopata National Reserve in Puerto Maldonado, Peru, Aug. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo, File)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia’s wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipela…
FILE - Deforestation is visible near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri, File)
FILE - A man inspects logs near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri, File)
FILE - Deforestation is visible near the areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri, File)
FILE - A truck carrying logs is parked on the side of a road leading to the concession areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri, File)
A planter, right, works in a field adjacent to a peatland forest Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Belhaven, N.C. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
