Swaziland's Forests Under Threat: Recent Fire Incident Highlights Ongoing Environmental Challenges

Swaziland's Forests Under Threat: Recent Fire Incident Highlights Ongoing Environmental Challenges

In a recent development, Swaziland's Hhohho Region has reported a fire incident, underscoring the environmental challenges faced by the country. Swaziland, with an area of over 1.70 million hectares, has a significant tree cover extent of approximately 469,227 hectares. However, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover over the years, with a 3.03% decrease in stable tree cover and a net loss of 21,542 hectares.

The historical data reveals a fluctuating pattern of tree cover loss, primarily driven by forestry activities and shifting agriculture. In 2022, the total tree cover loss was 1,937 hectares, with forestry accounting for the majority of this loss. Shifting agriculture was responsible for a smaller, yet significant portion of the loss. Wildfires, while contributing to a lesser extent, remain a persistent threat, as evidenced by the latest incident.