Lesotho, a country with a total area of over 3 million hectares, has experienced a significant increase in tree cover loss over the past two decades. Despite a modest tree cover extent of approximately 6052 hectares, the nation has seen a net change in tree cover with a gain of 2973 hectares, a loss of 215 hectares, and a net increase of 2758 hectares, marking a change of 0.66%.
The historical data reveals a fluctuating pattern of tree cover loss, with notable peaks in certain years. For instance, in 2016, the country faced its highest recorded tree cover loss of over 15 hectares. However, the drivers behind these losses vary, with forestry activities contributing to a portion of the loss in several years, such as in 2021 when forestry accounted for a loss of over 3 hectares.
Explore country profileThe latest incident in Mafeteng, Lesotho, on August 18, 2024, where a fire alert was recorded, adds to the challenges faced by the country's environment. These incidents highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain and protect the natural tree cover amidst various pressures.
