Zambia's Southern Province Registers New Fire Incident Amid Rising Tree Cover Loss

Zambia's Southern Province Registers New Fire Incident Amid Rising Tree Cover Loss

Zambia's Southern Province recently reported a new fire incident, underscoring the country's ongoing struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, Zambia has experienced a significant decline in tree cover, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of the loss. Analysis of historical data reveals a disturbing trend: the country has seen a net loss of 2,872,110.82 hectares, which represents a 7.31% decrease in tree cover.

The impact of shifting agriculture is stark, with this single driver responsible for the majority of tree cover loss year after year. Urbanization, while contributing to a lesser extent, also plays a role in the changing landscape. Wildfires, although not the leading cause, have been a consistent threat, as evidenced by the latest incident in the Southern Province.