Central African Republic Grapples with Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents

Central African Republic Grapples with Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents

The Central African Republic (CAR) has experienced significant tree cover loss over the past two decades, with shifting agriculture identified as the primary driver. Analysis of historical data shows that the country has lost approximately 2% of its tree cover since 2001, which equates to over 1.20 million hectares. This loss has had a considerable impact on the country's carbon emissions, contributing to a substantial amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere.

Shifting agriculture alone has been responsible for the majority of this loss, with forestry activities and wildfires also contributing to the decline. The latest incident data from Haut-Mbomou highlights the ongoing challenge of fire incidents in the region, with a recent alert underscoring the persistent threat to the country's natural resources.