Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has called for collective efforts to reduce environmental damage linked to the rise in veld fires across the country since the beginning of the fire season.
EMA publicity manager, Ms Amkela Sidange, said between July 1 and September 13 this year, a total 655 848,2 hectares were burnt from 2 489 fire incidents.
During the same period last year, she said, EMA recorded a total land area of 387 144ha burnt from 2 066 incidents.
“The veld fire land loss has increased by 69,41 percent in 2024, thus further stressing the already El-Niño drought impacted ecosystem resulting in subdued ecological services and goods from the same,” said Ms Sidange.
She said EMA has also noted that the average area burnt per incident was also higher at 155,67ha in 2024 compared to 91,1ha in 2023.
“This calls for stakeholders using the whole of Government approach to continue raising awareness on veld fire management, especially veld fire prevention,” said Ms Sidange.
“In terms of human life, the country has lost two lives to date. In addition, property worth an estimated US$285 192 has been destroyed by veld fires mostly from agriculture, commercial plantations and the energy sector.
“The agency, working with partners, will continue to raise awareness on veld fire management and at the same time enforce the law.”
To date, she said, 20 dockets on fire-related offences have been opened against offenders.
Ms Sidange said the veld fires have been prevalent in Mashonaland West (48,9 percent), Mashonaland Central (19,08 percent) and Mashonaland East (9,7 percent) provinces.
She noted that Matabeleland North had adopted stringent veld fire prevention measures resulting in the reduction of forest fires.
“The least affected provinces are the urban metropolitan provinces of Bulawayo and Harare. However, their peri-urban areas remain at high risk to veld fires if business remains as usual,” said Ms Sidange.
“Communities in the most affected provinces are advised to remain alert and diligently prevent veld fires. They should also follow updates from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) on weather forecasts to prevent these destructive fires, especially with the constant windy conditions being experienced in certain parts of the country, which can fuel fires.”
EMA has also advised farmers preparing for the summer cropping season to desist from using fires to open up fields.
The burning of Stover, she added, often creates favourable conditions for starting veld fires. Farmers are advised to seek guidance from Agritex officers in their respective areas on other sustainable land preparation methods that do not require the use of fire.
“Local leaders should also continuously engage their communities on fire management as the country forges towards reducing losses due to veld fires,” said Ms Sidange.
Online Reporter