Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A TOTAL of 100 hectares which include parts of Tuli National Park were destroyed by a veld fire that broke out along the Botswana and Zimbabwe border on Saturday evening.
The fire whose cause is yet to be ascertained reportedly affected the larger part of the park which is part of the Greater Mapungubwe Trans frontier Conservation Area (GMFTCA).
The mega-park is made up of national parks in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
It is reported that the fire started on the Botswana side before rapidly spreading to the Zimbabwe side.
Sources said the fire which broke out around 7PM was only contained early on Sunday by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers and communities mostly from the Beitbridge West and Gwanda South.
Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident
He said they were yet to get reports on the veld fire’s impact on human or wildlife.
“We have managed to contain the fire with the assistance of locals and we are grateful for their assistance,” said Mr Farawo.
He said investigations were underway to establish the cause of the fire.
“We also want to urge people to avoid starting such fires which are a threat to the environment and the ecosystem,” said Mr Farawo.
The country has recorded an 85 percent increase in land destroyed by veld fires this year since the start of the fire season at the end of July when compared to the same period last year.
It is reported that 408 366 hectares have been destroyed compared to 220 778 hectares destroyed during the same period last year.
Some of the known causes of veld fires in the country include land preparations, panning, hunting, harvesting honey and improper disposal of cigarettes.
Online Reporter