Shifting agriculture alone has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest, with other factors like forestry activities and wildfires contributing to the decline. The data shows that in 2022, shifting agriculture was responsible for 96.95% of the total tree cover loss, while forestry and wildfires accounted for 0.36% and 0.06%, respectively.
The decline in Madagascar's tree cover is not just an environmental concern; it also has significant implications for the country's carbon emissions. With millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released due to tree cover loss, the issue is also a critical component of global climate change discussions.
As Madagascar continues to grapple with these environmental challenges, the latest fire incident serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and action to protect the island's remaining forests.
