In a recent development, Botswana has reported a fire incident in the North-West District, highlighting the ongoing challenges the country faces with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, Botswana has experienced a net loss of tree cover, with a total of 14,571.47 hectares lost and a net change of -1,268.08 hectares, marking a -0.71% change in tree cover. Shifting agriculture has been identified as a significant driver, contributing to the loss of tree cover and associated emissions.
The impact of these losses on the country's vast area of over 57 million hectares is a cause for concern, particularly as the tree cover extent is only 20,328.41 hectares. The latest fire incident is a stark reminder of the environmental challenges that Botswana continues to face. While the data does not specify the causes behind all tree cover loss incidents, shifting agriculture has been a notable factor over the years, with its contribution to tree cover loss peaking at 12.82 hectares in 2010.
Explore country profileBotswana's natural landscape is a critical component of its environmental health and biodiversity. The ongoing loss of tree cover not only affects the country's carbon emissions but also has broader implications for wildlife habitats, soil quality, and local climate conditions. The latest fire incident serves as a prompt for broader discussions on sustainable land management and environmental conservation in Botswana.
