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

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

Angola's vast landscapes are facing a silent crisis, as recent data indicates a worrying trend in tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a significant reduction in its forested areas, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the majority of the tree cover loss. The latest incident in Cuando Cubango Province, where a fire alert was recorded, is a stark reminder of the environmental challenges Angola continues to face.

The numbers are telling: Angola has seen a net decrease in tree cover of approximately 4.41% over the years. While there has been some gain, with over 1.20 million hectares of tree cover added, the loss far exceeds this at over 3.40 million hectares. Disturbances have also contributed to a net loss of over 2.10 million hectares. Wildfires, although not the leading cause of tree cover loss, still pose a significant threat, as evidenced by the recent fire alert.