Tanzania has faced a significant challenge in maintaining its tree cover, with a net loss of 11.30% over the past two decades. The latest incident in the Singida Region underscores the ongoing struggle, as a fire alert was reported on September 4, 2024. This event adds to the cumulative impact of various drivers of tree cover loss, including shifting agriculture, which has been the predominant cause, accounting for the majority of the loss. Forestry activities, urbanization, and wildfires have also contributed to the decline, although to a lesser extent.
The country's tree cover extent spans over 26 million hectares, which has seen a fluctuating pattern of loss and occasional gains. However, the overall trend indicates a persistent reduction in tree cover. The loss of tree cover not only affects the natural landscape and biodiversity but also has significant implications for carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere as a result of these activities.
Explore country profileThe incident in Singida is a microcosm of a larger issue that Tanzania and many other countries face in balancing development needs with environmental conservation. The data reflects a critical need for sustainable practices and conservation efforts to reverse the trend of tree cover loss and mitigate the associated impacts on climate and ecosystems.
