Environment in Gabon

Gabon’s natural environment includes extensive rainforest, wetlands, mangroves, savannas, rivers, lakes, coastal waters and marine ecosystems. These habitats support forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills, leopards, pangolins and more than 600 recorded bird species. National parks, marine parks, aquatic reserves and other protected areas conserve these ecosystems while allowing regulated research, education, customary use and ecotourism. The living environment also depends on infrastructure and public services. Water and electricity supply, roads, drainage, waste collection, noise, air quality, green space and local safety affect daily conditions. Responsibility is distributed among ministries, municipalities, SEEG, Gabon’s water and electricity utility, the DGEPN environmental administration, ANPN, the agency responsible for national parks, and civil-protection bodies. Conditions differ between Libreville, Port-Gentil, provincial towns and rural areas. Coastal exposure, population density, available services and local infrastructure create different pressures, while heavy rain can affect roads, drainage, flooding and waste management. Understanding Gabon’s environment therefore requires looking at both ecosystem protection and the practical conditions of a specific place.