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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has issued 34 tickets to farmers for failing to put in place standard fireguards and starting fires that caused extensive damage to the environment and property.
EMA spokesperson Ms Amkella Sidanke said the exercise of issuing tickets was an ongoing process and more than 250 000 hectares of land had been destroyed.
“The agency was able to issue 34 tickets to non-compliant farmers and we want to assure the nation that this exercise is going to continue throughout the fire season,” said Ms Sidanke.
EMA has from August 2 been carrying out a veld fire blitz countrywide with hotspots like Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces being given the first priority.
The major thrust of the operation is on law enforcement, which includes veld fire investigations, prosecution and checking on compliance to fire guard construction.
EMA recently warned that 90 percent of country’s arable land was at high to extreme risk of veld fires due to increased biomass as a result of the good rains received last season.
Online Reporter