In a recent development, Senegal faced a fire incident in the Tambacounda Region, marking a continued trend of environmental challenges for the country. Over the years, Senegal has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture. The country's tree cover extent stands at approximately 39,568 hectares, which is a small fraction of its total area of nearly 19.70 million hectares.
The data reveals a worrying trend of tree cover loss, with a net decrease of 31,094 hectares, equating to a 0.76% change. Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver, with the highest recorded tree cover loss in 2020 at over 751 hectares. Although there has been some tree cover gain, amounting to 77,187 hectares, it has not been sufficient to offset the losses, which total 108,282 hectares.
Explore country profileThe single fire incident reported on December 30, 2024, while seemingly minor with just one count, is part of a broader pattern of environmental disturbances that Senegal must address. The cumulative effect of these incidents over the years underscores the need for sustainable land management practices to preserve Senegal's natural resources and mitigate further environmental degradation.
