Zimbabwe, a country with over 39 million hectares of land, is facing a significant challenge with its tree cover. Despite a tree cover extent of approximately 1.40 million hectares, the nation has experienced a net loss of nearly 400,000 hectares, marking a 5.91% decrease in tree cover. The primary drivers of this loss have been shifting agriculture and forestry, which together account for the majority of the tree cover decline.
The latest incident in Matabeleland North Province, where a fire alert was recorded on July 26, 2024, is a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental issues the country faces. Over the years, wildfires have contributed to the loss, albeit to a lesser extent than agriculture and logging activities. Urbanization, while also a factor, has had a relatively minor impact in comparison.
Explore country profileZimbabwe's struggle with tree cover loss is part of a broader trend that has seen fluctuations over the years. The data reveals that the highest loss in a single year occurred in 2017, with over 25,000 hectares lost. This trend underscores the need for sustainable land management practices and the importance of addressing the root causes of deforestation and degradation to preserve Zimbabwe's natural heritage.
