Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The country has recorded a 50 percent increase in veld fires which have claimed two lives in the past two weeks, an official has said.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), publicist Ms Amkela Sidange said yesterday that a total of 317 fires have been reported since 31 July when the fire season started.
She said in the same period last year 186 incidences of veld fires were recorded.
Ms Sidange said the two deaths occurred in Mashonaland Central last week when a man and his son died in a raging veld fire.
“In the past two weeks of the fire season we have recorded numerous losses,” she said.
“The most unfortunate scenario is the loss of a father and son in Mashonaland Central recently in a road traffic accident whose cause was mostly related to poor visibility due to a veld fire at the time. This is unsettling and unfortunate and as the agency we want to pass our condolences to the grieving families.”
She said the country has lost a cumulative 134 500 hectares of land to veld fires compared to 79 000 hectares destroyed in the same period under review in the past year.
Ms Sidange said EMA started awareness campaigns against veld fires early after realising the risk this year was between high and extremely high.
She said this year’s fire season was unique in the sense that it has got a lot of biomasses.
“This leaves us with no option, but to remain very vigilant when it comes to handling fires this dry season so that we are able to prevent veld fires and protect properties and lives. Now the agency has gone into formidable midterm workmanship with all key Government departments including Agritex, Forestry Commission, Imparks, and other line stakeholders,” she added.
The official said EMA will maintain presence in hotspot areas where they are doing awareness, community and farmer sensitisation, and sending reminders to ensure everybody is much more alert in this fire season.
Ms Sidange said an assessment done recently around Chikomba had revealed that the fireguard constructions compliance levels are at 5,6 percent.
She said it was also unfortunate that most properties have absent landlords.
“So far, we have issued 34 tickets to non-complying farmers and investigating the incidents we have recorded so we may bring the culprits to book.
“We will maintain our presence in the affected communities and assure the nation that the exercise will continue through the fire season, to ensure that the country is able to manage veld fires and we reduce loses,” said Ms Sidange.
She encouraged farmers not to burn crops residue or Stover and that they should reserve this for mulching in Intwasa/Pfumvudza or related farming projects and even using it to supplement stock feeds.
“In addition, they need to construct standard fire-guards on both sides of the fence which are 9m wide,” said the official. — @tupeyo
Online Reporter