“Angola’s biodiversity destroyed before our eyes”: Bishop on Massive Deforestation, Poaching near Border with Zambia

Lwena, 26 September, 2025 / 11:20 AM

Bishop Martín Lasarte Topolansky of the Catholic Diocese of Lwena in Angola has expressed concern about the escalating environmental destruction in eastern Angola, particularly in border areas with Zambia, where illegal logging and poaching are severely impacting the population.

In an interview with ACI Africa on Monday, September 22, Bishop Lasarte spoke of the devastation he witnessed during a 21-day pastoral visit across communities in Eastern Moxico.

“It is with a heavy heart that I see the felling of precious trees and the disappearance of animals that are part of our environmental heritage. We are witnessing a true plunder of what belongs to the Angolan people,” he told ACI Africa.

The Uruguayan member of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) noted that illegal exploitation is carried out with impunity, noting, “Unfortunately, there is illegal exploitation of our forests by foreign citizens crossing the border. What we are seeing is devastating. Rare trees cut, timber smuggled, and wildlife disappearing.”

Bishop Lasarte detailed his travels through municipalities including Nana Candundo, Caianda, Loua, Cazombo, and Macondo. 

“I saw centenary Mussivi trees cut down, fresh tracks from tractors and trucks clearly coming from Zambia. On the Angolan side, there are no roads for these vehicles. It is obvious where they come from,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader warned that many animal species in Angola, including the Giant Black Palanca antelope, elephants, rhinos, and plants like Welwitschia mirabilis and Mussivi trees, are under threat. 

“Many of these species are being felled indiscriminately. I saw Mussivi wood ready for transport. Protected animals, like wild boars and antelopes, continue to disappear. Angola’s biodiversity is being destroyed before our eyes,” he lamented.

Bishop Lasarte indicated that most perpetrators are likely Zambians taking advantage of weak local enforcement. 

He also highlighted the damage caused by uncontrolled fires, describing the fires as a national scourge. “Thousands of hectares are destroyed annually. This is self-destruction,” he lamented.

The Catholic Bishop shared efforts by the Diocese to combat environmental degradation, including agroforestry projects, beekeeping initiatives, and community engagement to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable practices. 

“We aim to teach communities to protect the forests so they can reap the benefits,” Bishop Lasarte said, underscoring the region’s extreme poverty, poor infrastructure, and lack of access to education and healthcare. 

“In some areas, people have never seen a car, and schools and medical services are nearly nonexistent. This is a violation of human dignity,” he said..

Advocating for cultural preservation, Bishop Lasarte also underscored the importance of teaching in local languages like Lundandembo, Luvale, and Tchokwe, noting that they carry ancestral wisdom and worldviews that should be protected.

He called on the Angolan government to take urgent action to protect their heritage, saying, “Authorities must enforce border regulations, implement stricter environmental laws, and invest in education, health, roads, and environmental preservation. Citizens must also act as guardians of our common home. This land is a gift from God, and we will be accountable for how we treat it.”

Bishop Lasarte narrated that during his 35 years in Angola, he had witnessed the severe underdevelopment of eastern communities, emphasizing the need for sustainable environmental and social development alongside cultural and educational empowerment.