Angola has been grappling with significant tree cover loss over the years, with the latest incident occurring on October 3, 2024, when a wildfire was reported in the Cunene Province. The country's tree cover extent spans over 55 million hectares, which has been under persistent threat, primarily due to shifting agriculture practices. An analysis of historical data reveals a troubling trend of escalating deforestation. Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver, accounting for the vast majority of tree cover loss, followed by wildfires and forestry activities.
The cumulative impact of these factors has led to a net change in tree cover characterized by a loss of over 3.40 million hectares, a gain of approximately 1.20 million hectares, and a disturbance affecting over 1.60 million hectares. This equates to a net loss of around 2.20 million hectares, marking a 4.41% decrease in tree cover. The year 2021 alone saw the highest tree cover loss of nearly 300,000 hectares, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The wildfires, although not the leading cause, have contributed significantly to the emissions of greenhouse gases, exacerbating the environmental crisis.
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