Mozambique Grapples with Deforestation as Latest Fire Hits Cabo Delgado

Mozambique Grapples with Deforestation as Latest Fire Hits Cabo Delgado

In a concerning environmental development, Mozambique has reported a new fire incident in the Cabo Delgado Province. This incident adds to the country's ongoing struggle with deforestation, which has seen a significant impact on its tree cover. Over the past two decades, Mozambique has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 4.30 million hectares, equating to a 10.20% decrease from its original extent. The primary driver of this loss has been shifting agriculture, responsible for the vast majority of tree cover reduction.

The data reveals a persistent challenge for Mozambique's natural landscapes, with the area's tree cover extent originally standing at over 28.90 million hectares. Despite a minor gain of around 583,000 hectares, the disturbance and subsequent loss have led to a net negative change. The absence of wildfires as a reported driver in the historical data suggests that the latest fire alert may represent a new trend or an underreported issue in previous years.