Chad has reported a new fire incident in the Salamat region as of January 4, 2025, marking a continuation of environmental challenges for the country. Over the past two decades, Chad has experienced significant tree cover loss primarily due to shifting agriculture. The total area of tree cover loss has reached approximately 1.10 million hectares, which represents a net change of -7.83% in tree cover. This loss has had a substantial impact on the country's carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere.
The most recent data indicates that the tree cover extent in Chad is just over 409,000 hectares, a small fraction of the country's vast land area. The persistent pattern of tree cover loss, largely driven by shifting agriculture practices, has led to a net loss of tree cover, despite some gains and natural disturbances. The latest fire incident in Salamat is a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental stressors affecting Chad's landscape and the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate further loss.
Explore country profile