Zim records 60% decline in land destroyed by veld fires
Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
Zimbabwe is winning the war against veld fires after a 60 percent decline in the land destroyed by fire last year, compared to losses incurred in 2022.
Launching the National Fire Awareness campaign in Shamva this Wednesday, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni revealed that more than 800 000 hectares were destroyed last year, marking a 60 percent decline from more than 1.7 million hectares lost in 2022.
“We are a rich country in bio-diversity, let us continue to protect that and veld fires are our enemy. During the past decade 2013 to 2023, more than 100 people died to the cause of veld fires, hence the need to put extra effort in fighting this scourge,” she said.
This year’s National Fire Week launch is of more significance as the country is battling the vagaries of El-Nino induced drought.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo said, “Degradation of our ecosystem due to veld fires has a direct impact on our food security and systems and economy with grazing areas, livestock, property and trees directly affected. Mashonaland Central was not spared from the drought thus there is need to safeguard crops, pastures and livestock.”
Masimbi Farm in Ward 21 of Shamva hosted the National Fire Week Launch, with farmers who have lost an average of 70 hectares of citrus trees in recent years stressing the importance of awareness efforts.
“We have suffered huge losses of citrus trees here and this was caused by people hunting in our farm,” said one of the farmers.
Another added, “Awareness has come closer to home and we hope this will empower the community to know dangers of veld fires.”
The second week of May was designated as the National Veld Fire Week in the National Fire Strategy of 2006.
It marks the beginning of a period of intense environmental awareness campaigns with communities being urged to prepare fire guards and reduce biomass on their land to prevent the spread of veld fires.
