Tanzania's Singida Region has recently witnessed a fire incident, a stark reminder of the country's ongoing struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, Tanzania 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 net loss of 3,816,929 hectares, marking an 11.30% decrease in tree cover.
The impact of shifting agriculture is profound, contributing to over 90% of the total tree cover loss. Forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization also play roles, albeit to a lesser extent. Wildfires, while not the leading cause of tree cover loss, have been persistent, with the latest alert bringing the issue to the forefront once again.
Explore country profileThe loss of tree cover has serious implications for biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and the livelihoods of local communities. As the country grapples with these environmental challenges, the recent fire incident in Singida serves as a call to attention for the urgent need to address the underlying causes of tree cover loss.
