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1 Jan 2025

Cameroon Grapples with Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents
Cameroon Grapples with Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents

Cameroon has been facing a significant challenge with tree cover loss over the past two decades, with recent data indicating a worrying trend. The country, which spans over 46 million hectares, has seen a drastic reduction in its tree cover. Notably, shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of this environmental concern, contributing to the majority of the tree cover loss.

In the year 2022 alone, Cameroon experienced a tree cover loss of approximately 147,809 hectares, with shifting agriculture accounting for nearly 96.30% of this loss. The impact on the country's carbon footprint is substantial, as the total gross emissions of CO2 equivalent for that year reached around 94 million megagrams.

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The situation is further exacerbated by fire incidents, with the North Region of Cameroon reporting a fire alert as recently as January 1, 2025. Although the number of incidents is currently low, with only one alert reported, the potential for escalation remains a concern, given the country's history of tree cover loss and its implications for forest fires.

Cameroon's net change in tree cover reflects a loss of over 625,000 hectares, a change of -1.71%. This loss is despite a gain of over 351,000 hectares, suggesting that the efforts to recover tree cover are being overshadowed by the rate of deforestation.

The data presents a clear call to action for sustainable land management practices and a collective effort to mitigate the loss of tree cover. The consequences of inaction could be dire, not only for Cameroon's biodiversity and climate but also for the livelihoods of those who depend on these forests.

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