Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
MANICALAND Province has recorded a spike in veld fire incidents, with the destroyed hectarage increasing by over 400 per cent this year compared to the same period last year.
Manicaland Provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) manager, Mr Rambwayi Mapako revealed that a total of 35 fire incidences have been reported in the province, with Nyanga and Makoni districts being the most affected.
“In 2023 as at 25 August, the province lost 6 423.24ha, whilst from May 2024 to date, 30 172.46 have been burnt. With the current projections, there is need to intensify interventions to reverse the increase recorded by the end of the season. Buhera has been the least affected district over the past 5 years, while Nyanga and Makoni are the most affected. One fatality occurred in Makoni District with one losing his life while battling with the fire which was uncontrolled during land preparation,” he said.
The timber industry has not been spared by the veld fires, thereby threatening the viability of the sector, a key contributor to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP).
“We are facing huge crises of veld fires. The affected trees were six years old and were planted after the plantation lost 400 hectares to veld fires in this area again. We start harvesting timber after the trees reach 9 to 10 years going forward,” said Dongo Sawmills manager, Mr Solomon Mandipaza.
“We are into timber industry but we are facing a major challenge of veld fires. This is affecting the industry as it takes a long time to grow timber. Almost 30 hectares were affected this side and on the other side we lost about 35 hectares again,” said the company’s director, Mr Frances Dingo.
The huge losses occurring due to fire incidents have prompted stakeholders to call for increased investment in more fire-fighting machines and the need for deterrent penalties on offenders.
