The year 2016 marked the highest recorded tree cover loss, with over 207,000 hectares affected, largely due to shifting agriculture. Although there was a slight decrease in the following years, the loss has remained significant, with the latest figures from 2023 showing over 76,000 hectares lost. Wildfires have consistently contributed to these losses, although to a lesser extent than agriculture and forestry.
The cumulative effect of these losses is not only a reduction in tree cover but also a considerable release of carbon emissions, further exacerbating climate change concerns. The country's forests, once a vast expanse of biodiversity and a critical carbon sink, are now at a tipping point, urging for immediate attention to reverse this destructive trend.
