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18 Jul 2024

Zambia Confronts Escalating Tree Cover Loss, Latest Incident Highlights Ongoing Struggle
Zambia Confronts Escalating Tree Cover Loss, Latest Incident Highlights Ongoing Struggle

Zambia's natural landscapes are under increasing pressure, as recent data reveals a concerning trend of tree cover loss across the nation. With an area spanning over 75 million hectares, Zambia boasts a significant tree cover extent of approximately 24 million hectares. However, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 2.87 million hectares, marking a 7.30% change that raises alarms about the sustainability of its forests and the efficacy of conservation efforts.

Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver of this loss, accounting for an overwhelming majority of the deforestation. Wildfires, urbanization, and forestry activities also contribute to the diminishing tree cover, albeit to a much lesser extent. The impact of these activities is not only measured in hectares but also in the significant amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere, exacerbating the global climate crisis.

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The latest incident, a fire alert from the Southern Province, underscores the ongoing challenges Zambia faces in managing and protecting its forests. While the number of incidents may vary, the consistent pattern of tree cover loss over the years points to a need for urgent action to reverse this trend and safeguard Zambia's environmental heritage for future generations.

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