Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
THE Midlands Province has lost 63 483 hectares due to veld fires since the start of the fire season in July, the Environment Management Authority (EMA) has said.
The fire season began on July 31 and ends on October 31 every year. According to EMA provincial spokesperson, Mr Oswald Ndhlovu, land preparations by farmers, honey poaching and improper disposal of waste have been the main causes of the fires.
“As Midlands Province, we have so far lost 63 483 of land to veld fires since the onset of the fire season. The main causes have been identified as land preparations, lack of appropriate fire guards and improper disposal of waste especially by children. We are however grateful that no lives have so been lost,” said Mr Ndhlovu.
As a result, EMA has been conducting veld fire inspections in hotspot areas across the province and carrying out awareness campaigns.
“So far, we have conducted 463 veld fire inspections in Gweru, Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Gokwe North, Gokwe South and Chirumhanzu districts. It is during those inspections that we noted that most farmers did not construct proper fire guards hence fires can easily spread from one farm to the other,” he said.
Mr Ndhlovu urged farmers to harvest thatching grass and hay bales as this goes on to reduce biomass as well as improve livelihoods.
“We have noticed that some farmers in Gweru, Kwekwe have been harvesting thatching grass and hay bales. This is a good move as it goes on to reduce biomass as well as the risk of the fire spreading to other parts,” said Mr Ndhlovu.
He reminded land and property owners of the need to avoid lighting fires outside their premises as it was an offence.
“It is an offence to light a fire outside residential or commercial areas between 31 July and 31 October each year.
Farmers should also be reminded that it is the duty of any property or land owner to extinguish a fire that would have spread to their premises no matter who would have started the fire,” he said.
According to Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, any land owner should put in place appropriate fire prevention measures at their properties.
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