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22 Sept 2024

Tanzania Grapples with Tree Cover Loss and Single Fire Incident in Njombe Region
Tanzania Grapples with Tree Cover Loss and Single Fire Incident in Njombe Region

Tanzania, a country with a land area of over 94 million hectares, has experienced significant tree cover loss over the past two decades. The tree cover extent, which stood at approximately 26.40 million hectares, has seen a net decline of 11.30%, with a total loss of over 4.30 million hectares. The main driver of this deforestation has been shifting agriculture, accounting for the vast majority of tree cover loss.

The data reveals a disturbing trend of consistent loss, with the highest recorded loss in 2014, amounting to nearly 198,228 hectares. The impact of shifting agriculture is evident, with over 191,911 hectares lost to this practice in the same year. Forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization have also contributed to the decline, albeit to a lesser extent.

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In the Njombe Region of Tanzania, a recent fire incident was reported on September 22, 2024. Although the incident count stands at one, the ongoing loss of tree cover in the country raises concerns about the vulnerability of Tanzania's forests to such incidents and the broader implications for the environment and local communities.

The loss of tree cover not only has ecological consequences but also affects the carbon cycle, as evidenced by the gross emissions of CO2 equivalent. Over the years, the total CO2e gross emissions have been substantial, with a peak in 2017, reaching over 68 million megagrams.

The challenge for Tanzania now lies in addressing the drivers of tree cover loss and mitigating the risks of fire incidents to protect its remaining forests and the benefits they provide.

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