Chronicle Editor
Tawanda Mangoma in CHIREDZI
Farmers in Masvingo have been commended for increasing their efforts to stop veld fires with the province increasing its area covered by fire guards from 10 000 to 70 000 hectares.
The Masvingo Provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Office has also commended efforts to reduce the spread of veld fires.
EMA has, however, challenged all districts in the province to continue in the fight to eradicate veld fires by next year.
In an interview, EMA provincial manager Mr Robson Mavhondo said the province has seen more areas being covered by fire guards over the years.
He said citizen participation in the fight against veld fires was now yielding anticipated results due to the decline in cases of wildfires.
“We are in the fire season which started on July 31 ending October 31 this year. This year we have managed to increase the area under fire guards from 10 232ha to 71 025.07ha.
“We don’t take much credit on this as EMA, but we thank our communities for taking note when we undertook a number of trainings, community engagement meetings and road shows,” said Mr Mavhondo.
He said this year only 167ha of land have been destroyed by fire across the province.
“It’s unfortunate that we failed to meet our goal of recording zero veld-fires starting this year. Since July 31 this year, when the fire sea son started, only 167ha of land have been destroyed. Last year, a total area of 7 495.14ha was burnt compared to 75 708.17ha which was destroyed in 2015,” he said.
Mr Mavhondo said communities were now deriving benefits from natural resources which they used to set ablaze.
“Communities are now earning a living from some of the conservation projects such as thatching grass harvesting and hay bailing, among other things.
“If I just look at Cheek Farm and Hamaurombe Farm here in Masvingo, they harvested 1 730 hay bales which have a value of $13 840,” he said.
Meanwhile, veld fires destroyed some ZESA Holdings poles, plunging Eastvale Suburb in Masvingo into darkness.
Reports say the fire was caused by some inmates from a children’s home, in the same suburb.
The fire, which lasted the whole night of Monday, was put out the following morning, but had burnt some poles along the power utility’s electricity line.
“The veld fire was started by small boys at Alfa Cottage. It spread for close to a kilometre before destroying some Zesa poles and plunged the whole suburb into darkness,” a resident said.
Online Reporter