Story by Tamuka Charakupa
CHINHOYI – STAKEHOLDERS in Mashonaland West Province have united to address the escalating threat of veld fires, which are destroying over 400 000 hectares of forest and grassland annually, posing severe risks to lives, property, and ecosystems.
The province, which leads the country in fire related incidents, accounting for over 50 % of the national statistic,s recently convened a high-level indaba aimed at crafting a coordinated and sustainable response to veld fires.
Held under the banner “Mash West Veld Fire Indaba: Calls for Collective Action Against Veld Fires,” the meeting brought together traditional leaders, government officials, environmental experts, and community representatives to deliberate on long-term mitigation strategies.
Speaking at the event, Chief Chundu, a respected traditional leader, called for a cultural renaissance rooted in environmental stewardship.
“As custodians of the land, we must return to the values that guided our ancestors respect for nature, discipline, and accountability,” he said.
Mrs Madlinah Magwenzi, the Provincial Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, attributed the spike in veld fires to vast areas of underutilised land.
“Our province has extensive grazing pastures and large tracts of idle land. These are now the breeding grounds for most fires. It is imperative that land is allocated to individuals who have the capacity to manage it effectively. Furthermore, we must cultivate a culture of extinguishing veld fires at source,” she said.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), through its Provincial Director Dr Kingstone Chitotombe, unveiled a renewed push for grassroots interventions.
“Sustainable land use is fundamental to curbing veld fires. EMA is committed to supporting the construction of timely fireguards, promoting controlled burning practices, and encouraging reforestation. Through technical support, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder collaboration, we are empowering communities to be the first line of defence against this growing threat,” he said.
Permanent Secretary for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Josphat Jaji, who represented Minister of State Honourable Marian Chombo, issued a clarion call for united action.
“As Mashonaland West, we cannot continue to top the veld fire charts. This is a call to action for our communities, leaders, and institutions. We must utilise our VIDCO and WADCO structures to improve responsiveness at grassroots level. Law enforcement must also play a role by imposing stiff penalties to deter repeat offenders,” he said.
According to EMA’s 2025 Fire Prediction Report, Zvimba, Chegutu, Makonde, and Hurungwe districts are at extreme risk of veld fires this season.
Stakeholders at the indaba resolved to scale up fire awareness campaigns, enhance enforcement of environmental laws, and promote community-driven fire prevention initiatives.
