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30 Jan 2025

Cameroon's Forests Face Mounting Challenges with Recent Fire Incident in Centre Region
Cameroon's Forests Face Mounting Challenges with Recent Fire Incident in Centre Region

Cameroon's lush forests, covering an area of over 46 million hectares, with a tree cover extent of nearly 31.50 million hectares, have been under persistent pressure from various factors. A recent fire incident in the Centre Region of Cameroon adds to the growing concerns over the health of the country's forests. Over the years, shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a significant percentage of the deforestation.

The data reveals a troubling trend of increasing tree cover loss, with the latest figures showing over 204,000 hectares lost in 2023 alone. This loss represents an alarming rise from previous years, with shifting agriculture being responsible for the vast majority of this depletion. Urbanization, though less impactful than agriculture, also contributes to the decline, with thousands of hectares affected annually.

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Cameroon's forests have experienced a net loss of approximately 626,000 hectares, indicating a negative change of around 1.71% in tree cover over the years. This loss not only affects the biodiversity and ecological balance but also has significant implications for carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere as a result of these activities.

The latest incident of a fire alert, though isolated, is a stark reminder of the various threats that Cameroon's forests face. It underscores the need for increased vigilance and sustainable practices to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

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