1 400ha of Chipinge forests gutted by fire

Stephen Ephraem
APPROXIMATELY 1 400 hectares of forests have been destroyed in Chipinge following a spate of uncontrolled veld fires.

The veld fires consumed an equivalent propotion of both commercial and indigenous forests. On the commercial timber side, a privately owned forestry entity, The Wattle Company, was most the affected after losing at least 720ha from two of its estates. Cecilton Estate lost at least 500ha, while Moiplat Estate lost at least 220ha in cases of suspected arson.

At least 720ha of indigenous forest was destroyed around in most parts of Chipinge East. Causes of the wild fires range from acts of clearing to unattended camp fires by religious groups.

Part of the forest adjacent to Chirinda Forest was saved after the fire gutted 58ha. The district fire mitigation team which include Civil Protection Unit, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Environmental Management Agency, Chipinge Rural District Council and Forestry Commission quickly reacted to extinguish the fire.

Forestry Commission has expressed deep concern over the increase in this year’s veld fires.

According to the District Forestry Officer for Chipinge, Mr Clasport Karimanzira, climatic change might have contributed immensely to the scourge.

Said Mr Karimanzira: “The increase in veld fires is worrisome. We encourage farmers to be more careful when handling fires in this era of high temperatures. Traditional leaders should also make use of the power bestowed into them by the Traditional Leaders Act to try and police veld fire culprits.”