In a recent development, Senegal faced a fire incident in the Tambacounda Region, reflecting the country's ongoing struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, Senegal has experienced a net loss in tree cover, which is now estimated at -0.76%. This loss is primarily attributed to shifting agriculture, which has consistently been the main driver of deforestation.
The latest incident on November 21, 2024, although isolated, is a stark reminder of the environmental challenges Senegal continues to face. The country's tree cover extent, which stands at approximately 39,568 hectares, is a small fraction of its total land area of over 19 million hectares. Despite some gains in tree cover, the net loss has been significant, with over 108,000 hectares lost and a disturbing trend of 69,440 hectares affected by various disturbances.
Explore country profileThe impact of these environmental changes is profound, affecting not just the landscape but also the carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere due to tree cover loss. The data underscores the need for sustained attention to environmental protection and reforestation efforts in Senegal to reverse these trends and safeguard the country's natural heritage.
