In a recent environmental incident, Namibia's Kavango East Region recorded a fire alert, underscoring the ongoing challenges the country faces in managing its natural resources. Namibia, with an area of over 82 million hectares, has a relatively small tree cover extent of approximately 3835 hectares. Over the years, the nation has experienced a fluctuating pattern of tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which has been the leading driver, followed by forestry-related activities.
The historical data reveals that the highest tree cover loss occurred in 2003, with over 208 hectares affected, representing a significant environmental impact. Notably, shifting agriculture accounted for nearly 74% of the total tree cover loss that year. While incidents such as wildfires have contributed to the loss, their impact has been considerably less than that of agricultural practices. In 2022, the tree cover loss due to shifting agriculture was over 21%, with forestry contributing around 7%.
Explore country profileNamibia's net change in tree cover shows a concerning trend with a net loss of approximately 560 hectares, indicating a negative change of around 0.34%. This data points to the need for a closer examination of land-use practices and their environmental repercussions. The latest fire incident, although isolated, adds to a series of environmental challenges that Namibia must address to ensure the sustainability of its natural landscapes.
