MILLICENT HUNGWE
Zimbabwe is facing a dire situation as veld fires continue to ravage the country, with a staggering 69.41% increase in land loss compared to the same period last year.
Environmental Management Agency spokesperson Amkela Sidange said, “according to the latest update, 655,848.2 hectares have been burnt since July 1, 2024, resulting from 2,489 fire incidents.
“The El Niño-induced drought has exacerbated the situation, putting additional stress on the already fragile ecosystem and compromising essential ecological services, the average area burnt per incident has also risen to 155.67 hectares, up from 91.1 hectares in 2023.”
Tragically, two lives have been lost, and property worth US$285,192 has been destroyed, primarily affecting the agriculture, commercial plantations, and energy sectors. Mashonaland West, Central, and East provinces have borne the brunt of the fires, accounting for 48.9%, 19.08%, and 9.7% of the total area burnt, respectively.
She went on to say, however, Matabeleland North province has shown remarkable progress in reducing veld fires through stringent prevention measures.
The urban metropolitan provinces of Bulawayo and Harare have been relatively spared, but their peri-urban areas remain high-risk zones.
To combat the scourge, the government and partners are intensifying awareness campaigns on veld fire management and prevention.
The Midweek Watch confirmed that 20 dockets have been opened to hold offenders accountable for fire-related offenses.
As the farming season approaches, EMA urged farmers to avoid using fires to clear fields and instead seek guidance from local AGRITEX officers on sustainable land preparation methods.
The authority also encouraged communities to remain vigilant, follow weather forecasts from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), and engage local leaders on veld fire management.
“The fight against veld fires requires collective effort. It’s time for Zimbabweans to come together and play their part in preventing these devastating blazes as veld fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.
