Burkina Faso has recently faced a fire incident in the Centre-Ouest Region, reflecting the country's ongoing struggle with environmental sustainability. Over the past two decades, the nation has experienced a net loss in tree cover, which now stands at a reduction of 0.36%. This loss is primarily attributed to shifting agriculture, a practice that has historically driven tree cover loss and associated CO2 emissions. Despite a tree cover extent of merely 132 hectares, which is a fraction of the country's 27 million hectares, Burkina Faso has seen a significant impact on its landscape.
The latest incident on December 14, 2024, adds to the environmental challenges, although it represents a single event in a broader context of land-use change. The data shows a net decrease in tree cover of over 9,000 hectares, despite gains of approximately 142,000 hectares. Disturbances to the tree cover, including fire incidents, have contributed to a loss of nearly 152,000 hectares over the years.
Explore country profileThe environmental implications of such changes are profound, affecting not only carbon emissions but also biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. The trend of tree cover loss, albeit at a slow rate, underscores the need for sustainable land management practices in Burkina Faso to mitigate further environmental degradation.
