Namibia's Otjozondjupa Region Reports Single Fire Incident Amidst Tree Cover Challenges

Namibia's Otjozondjupa Region Reports Single Fire Incident Amidst Tree Cover Challenges

In the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, a single fire incident was reported on July 21, 2024, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges in the country. Namibia, with an area of over 82 million hectares, has a relatively small tree cover extent of approximately 3835 hectares. Over the years, the country has experienced a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture and other factors.

Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture has been the main driver of tree cover loss in Namibia, accounting for significant percentages of the total loss each year. For instance, in 2001, shifting agriculture was responsible for approximately 41% of the tree cover loss. While incidents such as wildfires have contributed to the loss, their impact has been comparatively lower.