Tunisia plans to increase forest coverage of its territory to bring it to a rate between 12 % and 16 % in the coming years. This is announced by the director of forest conservation, Sahbi Ben Dhiaf, in an interview with the TAP agency (Tunis Afrique Press).
Currently, the forest covers approximately 8.5 % of the country’s area. Despite recurring fires, Ben Dhiaf claims that Tunisian forests, like other Mediterranean forests, have a significant capacity for natural regeneration – provided that fires are not repeated on the same areas.
“This ecological resilience allows the forest to regenerate itself, but it requires technical support when the attacks are repeated,” he said. In this context, the Directorate General of Forests provides studies and interventions in the field to promote reforestation.
The official also highlights the economic and social importance of the forest sector. The Tunisian forest covers nearly 1.2 million hectares and constitutes a living space for between 700,000 and a million citizens. The sector contributes to 1.4 % of the national gross domestic product and represents 14 % of the added value of the agricultural sector.
In addition to its economic contribution, the forestry field plays a key role in preserving biodiversity, the fight against soil erosion, as well as in climate regulation and local development. The objective of identifying national forest coverage is therefore part of a broader strategy of sustainable development and resilience in the face of climate change.
