dyton mupawaenda
Trust Freddy–Herald Correspondent
A total of 858 361,9 hectares have been burnt by 3 717 veld fires in the 2023 fire season, about half the 7 511 fires recorded last year as the revised fire management strategies bear fruit, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has said.
The fire restriction season which stretched from July 31 to the end of last month saw the nation losing property worth at least US$320 025 with 75 tickets being issued, 27 dockets being opened and 3 908 environment protection orders were issued to ensure compliance.
During the four months, the total burnt area dropped by 51 percent to 858 361,9 hectares from 1 753 055,9 hectares the previous year, while one death was reported nationwide compared to 18 lives that were lost last year.
In a preliminary veld fire update that marked the end of the fire season, EMA’s environmental education and publicity manager, Mrs Amkela Sidange yesterday attributed the significant decrease in both the area burnt and the number of fires recorded in 2023 to training and awareness campaigns done countrywide by the Ministry and various stakeholders.
“Fire coordination activities have been strengthened between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife for the purpose of protecting the environment, agricultural produce of both crops and animals, and agricultural equipment and infrastructure which are key for economic prosperity,” Ms Sidange said.
“A total of 858 361,9 hectares have been burnt by fires from a total of 3 717 incidences in the 2023 fire season.
“A coordinated fire communication framework between the two Ministries was put in place from national to ward level which saw a total of 622 945 hay bales being harvested protecting 14 441,78 hectares in 2023 as compared to 331 207 bales which were harvested in 2022.
“Furthermore, a total of 14 114,06km stretch of fireguards were constructed protecting 411 250,2 hectares in 2023 while in 2022 there was a cumulative of 14 680,72km fireguards constructed protecting 1 486 239.72ha.”
A further 218 446 thatch grass bundles were also harvested protecting 8 611,7 hectares.
The veld fires, Ms Sidange said, were largely caused by suspected arson and land clearing.
In light of El Nino induced dry weather conditions which are expected in the 2023 to 2024 cropping season, Ms Sidange called upon members of the public to remain vigilant when handling fires up to the first effective rains,so as to not cause fires .
“The veld fire season has come to an end as per the gazette on the 30th of November 2023, the agency will however, continue to monitor veld fires as farmers start land preparations countrwide.
“Despite the elongated fire restriction period to cater for impacts of climate change in seasonal shifts,the El Nino effect has also brought about delayed rains thus further elongating the dry season resulting in the country remaining vulnerable to onset of veld fires,” she said.
Online Reporter