Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
AT least 18 people died while property worth about US$1,5 million was destroyed by veld fires last year, a sharp increase compared to the previous year when eight lives were lost while property worth around US$370 000 was destroyed.
According to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) 2022 veld fire report, 1,7 million hectares of land was destroyed last year compared to 1 million hectares in 2021, which translates to a 59,7 percent increase.
A total of 7 511 veld fire incidences were recorded in 2022 compared to 3 948 in 2021.
Mashonaland West had the largest area burnt followed by Matabeleland North while Manicaland and Masvingo provinces recorded the least size of areas burnt.
The peak of the fire season was reached in September and October when an average of 250 000 hectares was burnt weekly from about 700 fire incidences.
In October last year, 10 lives were lost in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South when farm workers were trying to put out a veld fire.
The incident prompted the re- evaluation of the National Fire Management Strategy.
Eland Lodge in Midlands and Kombani Lodge in Matabeleland South lost property worth over US$1 million after the premises were razed by veld fires. The majority of the veld fires occurred in the resettlement areas and protected areas such as safaris and national parks.
The country continues to record an upsurge in veld fires. In 2020, 806 000 ha of land was destroyed and 1 178 fire incidences were recorded.
According to the report, the effects of climate change have resulted in a longer fire season. This has affected agricultural activities such as land preparation, tobacco and cotton stalk clearing, and pasture management such as tick control.
The report said the variations call for a shift in fire use for agricultural purposes including the need to do fire management activities such as fireguard construction early as well as harvesting.
In a statement EMA director general, Mr Aaron Chigona said veld fires can be controlled if all stakeholders play their part as outlined in the revised National Fire Management Strategy of 2022.
“The 2022 fire season was disastrous to the environment and society as 1 753 055, 9 hectares of land were destroyed and 18 lives lost. The current changes in climate and weather variations have led to changes in the fire restriction season for the first time since 2007 when fire regulations were promulgated,” he said.
“The fire restriction season will now be reviewed by the Minister on a yearly basis to cater for these climatic changes. The 2022 fire restriction season started on 31 July and ended on 31 November as opposed to the previous years when the fire season ran from 31 July to 31 October of each year.”
Mr Chigona urged stakeholders and development partners to work with Government in bridging the capacity gap.
“Veld fires if not properly managed and financed can be costly and escalate to the level of national disasters,” he said.
According to the fire report, a new concept of model anti-fire villages was developed and implemented in nine hot spot districts.
No veld fires were recorded in the model anti-fire villages. The model consists of components such as environmental education and awareness, training, demonstrations, equipment, livelihood projects and law enforcement.
The agency issued a total of 4 233 fire prevention orders to farmers, land users, owners, occupiers, lessees, and designated authorities to put in place standard fire management measures. A total of 301 tickets were issued to offenders for starting fires and also for failure to put in place fire guards. 34 dockets were opened for various fire-related offences.
“The reviewed National Fire Management Strategy of 2022 should be effectively implemented to prevent loss of lives and strategic national assets as witnessed in 2022. Climate change adaptation strategies have to be holistic and include veld fire management strategies. A combination of strategies were employed to educate, train and empower communities and institutions in fire management approaches,” reads the report. — @DubeMatutu
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