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3 Jan 2025

Cameroon Grapples with Escalating Tree Cover Loss Amid New Fire Incident
Cameroon Grapples with Escalating Tree Cover Loss Amid New Fire Incident

In a concerning environmental development, Cameroon has experienced a significant tree cover loss over the past two decades, with the latest incident being a fire alert in the East Region on January 3, 2025. The country, which boasts an area of over 46 million hectares, has seen its tree cover extent, originally at 31 million hectares, impacted by various factors.

Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial percentage of the total deforestation. For instance, in 2020, shifting agriculture was responsible for over 98% of the tree cover loss. This practice has consistently led to the loss of tens of thousands of hectares each year, with a peak in 2014 where over 176,000 hectares were cleared.

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Forestry activities, while contributing to a smaller fraction of the loss, have also been a consistent factor. The cumulative effect of these drivers has resulted in a net change in tree cover that is negative, with a 1.71% decrease from the original extent. The country has seen a net loss of over 625,000 hectares when accounting for tree cover gains against losses and disturbances.

The single fire incident reported in early 2025 adds to the ongoing challenge of forest conservation in Cameroon. The trend of tree cover loss, if continued, poses a significant threat to the country's biodiversity, climate, and local communities reliant on forest resources.

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