Rutendo Chirume
MASVINGO – Conservation authorities at the Great Zimbabwe National Monument have urged communities living around the World Heritage Site to take greater responsibility in preventing veld fires, warning that uncontrolled blazes could destroy the country’s priceless cultural and natural heritage.
Speaking in an interview with The Midweek Watch, Great Zimbabwe Conservation Department official Tinashe Muchakata (pictured above) said the greatest threat comes from fires started in fields by households surrounding the monument.
“The biggest risk we face is from fires that originate in nearby communities, particularly in agricultural fields.
” We urge residents to alert our department immediately whenever a fire breaks out so that we can respond before it spreads into the monument,” Muchakata said.
He said although veld fires remain a constant threat during the dry season, the department has so far managed to protect the monument from fire damage through early detection and rapid response.
“We have not recorded any fire incidents inside the monuments because we have been able to control the fires before they reach the protected area,” he said.
Muchakata also warned hunters against using fire while hunting or lighting fires within or around the protected area, saying such practices are prohibited as they significantly increase the risk of veld fires.
He appealed to surrounding communities, farmers and visitors to work closely with conservation authorities in preventing veld fires, stressing that safeguarding the monuments is a shared responsibility.
The Great Zimbabwe Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Zimbabwe’s most significant historical and archaeological landmarks. Conservation officials say protecting the site from veld fires is essential to preserving its ancient stone structures, surrounding vegetation and biodiversity for future generations.
