In a recent development, a fire incident was reported in the Rukwa Region of Tanzania on July 29, 2024. This event adds to the environmental challenges the country has been facing over the years. Tanzania, with an area of over 94 million hectares, has a significant tree cover extent of approximately 26.40 million hectares. However, the nation has experienced a net loss in tree cover of around 3.80 million hectares, which is a decline of over 11% from the stable tree cover.
The primary driver of tree cover loss has been identified as shifting agriculture, contributing to the vast majority of the decrease. Forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization also play roles but to a lesser extent. Over the years, the impact of wildfires has been relatively small in comparison to other factors, but each incident further strains the country's environmental health.
Explore country profileThe loss of tree cover not only affects the natural landscape but also has significant implications for carbon emissions. The data indicates a consistent pattern of tree cover loss over the years, emphasizing the need for attention to sustainable land management and environmental conservation practices in Tanzania.
