Tanzania has recently experienced a fire incident in the Njombe Region, reflecting the country's continuous struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, Tanzania has seen a significant reduction in its tree cover. The total area of Tanzania spans over 94 million hectares, with approximately 26.40 million hectares covered by trees. However, the nation has faced a net loss of 3.80 million hectares of tree cover, marking an 11.30% decrease.
Shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, contributing to over 90% of the total deforestation. Other factors such as forestry, wildfires, and urbanization have also played roles, though to a lesser extent. The cumulative effect of these drivers has led to substantial carbon emissions, further exacerbating the environmental impact.
Explore country profileThe latest fire incident in Njombe is a stark reminder of the persistent challenges Tanzania faces in managing its natural resources. The incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and sustainable practices to protect the remaining tree cover and mitigate further environmental degradation.
