In a recent development, Tanzania has reported a fire incident in the Mbeya Region, underscoring the persistent environmental challenges the country faces. Over the past two decades, Tanzania has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily driven by shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of this loss. The data reveals a concerning trend, with an overall net loss in tree cover of 3,816,929 hectares, marking an 11.30% decrease from the stable tree cover.
The impact of these losses is not just limited to the depletion of tree cover but also contributes to substantial carbon emissions. Shifting agriculture remains the leading cause of tree cover loss, followed by forestry activities, urbanization, and wildfires. While the extent of the damage caused by wildfires is relatively small in comparison to other factors, the latest fire alert indicates that they continue to pose a risk to Tanzania's forests.
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