Chad Confronts Alarming Surge in Tree Cover Loss Over Recent Years

Chad Confronts Alarming Surge in Tree Cover Loss Over Recent Years

Chad has been facing a significant challenge in maintaining its tree cover. Over the past two decades, the nation has experienced a substantial decline in tree cover, with the most recent data indicating a staggering loss of over 11,000 hectares in 2023 alone. This decline represents a concerning trend, with the total tree cover loss amounting to approximately 1.10 million hectares since the turn of the century.

The primary driver of this deforestation has been identified as shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of tree cover loss. Other factors, such as wildfires, have also contributed to the decline, albeit to a lesser extent. The impact of these losses is profound, not only on the environment but also on the carbon footprint of the country, with millions of metric tons of CO2 emissions associated with the loss of tree cover.