By Conrad Mwanawashe
Zimbabwe is on a ‘positive trajectory’ towards climate change mitigation through tree planting and wetland restoration programs as a means towards increasing carbon sinks and carbon sequestration but veld fires are threatening to reverse these efforts.
Veld fires have claimed the lives of more than 150 people during the past two decades as Zimbabwe loses over a million hectares of forests and grasslands depriving wildlife and livestock of pastures and leaving the country counting lives and property, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndhlovu while announcing the National Veld Fire Awareness week to be launched under the theme, “Prevent veld fires to protect the environment! Our Natural Heritage”.
“Veld fires have become an issue of national concern given their wanton destructive nature.
Each year, the country loses over a million hectares of forests and grasslands depriving wildlife and livestock of pastures and leaving the country counting lives and property.
“In 2022, a total of 7 511 fire incidences were recorded during the dry season, which destroyed 1 753 055.9hectares of forest and grassland, compared to 3 948 fire incidences recorded in 2021, subsequently destroying 1 033 722.86ha. The total area burnt increased by 60.92% compared to 2021,” Minister Ndhlovu said.
Cumulatively, 18 fire related deaths were recorded in 2022 compared to 8 in 2021.
“Unfortunately the 2022 fire period cannot be complete without mention of the 10 October 2022 Umzingwane tragedy where 10 lives were lost to a single veld fire incident.
“It is sad to note that during the past two decades, more than 150 people have succumbed to veld fires, hence the need to put extra effort in fighting this scourge so that no further lives are lost.
“Veld fires in Zimbabwe are nothing but a human cause meaning me and you are the solution to the veld fire problem. Let’s work together therefore to weed out this human induced enemy,” said Minister Ndhlovu.
Due to climate change and variability, the country has witnessed veld fire occurrences outside the stipulated dates, hence the decision to announce the fire restriction period on an annual basis since last year, through a notification published in the government gazette.
“For this year, the fire restriction period will be observed as from the 1st of July to the 30th of November2023.
The 2023 National Fire week launch will be held at Compton Farm in Ward 17, Makoni District Manicaland Province.
“The time to look deeper into fire prevention for the protection of environmental goods and services is now. Prevention of veld fires remain a game changer in the thrust towards creating a clean, safe and healthy environment that is able to propel this country into a middle income economy by 2030,” said Minister Ndhlovu.
