Mozambique’s vital forest cover is shrinking at an alarming rate, primarily driven by unsustainable agricultural practices, presenting a serious long-term challenge to the country’s environment and climate resilience.
Analysis of historical data reveals that between 2001 and 2023, Mozambique lost over 4.89 million hectares of tree cover, representing a decline of 10.21%. The vast majority of this deforestation is attributed to shifting agriculture, underscoring the severe impact of current land-use practices on forested ecosystems.
The rate of tree cover loss has been inconsistent but shows an escalating trend over time. Notably, the year 2017 recorded the highest loss during this period, with more than 359,000 hectares affected. After accounting for minor gains from reforestation and natural regeneration, the country faces a concerning net loss of over 4.31 million hectares.
While wildfires contribute to degradation, evidenced by a recent fire alert in Manica Province, their impact remains secondary to agricultural expansion. Urbanization and regulated forestry activities have had minimal comparative effect on the total loss.
The data, which is now being proactively tracked by AI tools like Atlai, emphasizes the urgent need for a national discussion on sustainable land use practices and forest conservation. Given the critical role of forests in biodiversity and climate regulation, Mozambique must quickly integrate modern conservation strategies to mitigate environmental degradation and safeguard its natural capital.
