Out of control: Veld fires destroy tourism, timber industry
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
Written by Staff Reporter
Friday, 10 December 2010 15:50
MUTARE – This year in Manicaland, more than 8 000ha of timber plantations
were gutted by veld fires that destroyed some 17 300 hectares of land and
seven lives.
The plantations provided valuable timber for local consumption by various
industries, as well as for export to earn much-needed foreign currency.
Addressing a fire awareness campaign recently in Headlands, the Minister of
Environment and Natural Resources Francis Nhema said at that the country
continued to experience serious outbreaks of uncontrolled fires throughout
the country causing untold destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems.
“We continue to preach the same message that people should not tamper with
fire, but all our efforts appear to be futile as veld fires have been
running wild in this country especially in this part of Manicaland leaving
death and destruction,” he said.
He added that if current trends continued, the nation faced an even more
disastrous 2011 fire season.
Nhema said Zimbabwe could not afford to lose its rich biodiversity and the
much needed foreign currency due to careless throwing away of cigarette
stubs or unattended open fires meant to warm bodies at bus terminuses.
He warned that government would not fold its hands as careless and wanton
destruction of forests continued through unlawful practices, and urged all
stakeholders to assist in protecting the environment.
“All these problems are due to human negligence, hence the need to reorient
our attitudes towards fighting veld fires. Local authorities, traditional
leaders, chiefs’ headman, kraal heads and other critical stakeholders
involved in local governance should establish and train fire fighting teams
in their areas” said Nhema.
Commenting on the rampant occurrence of veld fires in Makoni, Chief Makoni
said his people needed environmental education and training.
“We are very saddened by this environmental catastrophe but we are working
on a comprehensive programme where we want to train our people on the
dangers of using fire and the benefits of using it as a controlled resource.
We are working in partnership with the district council to make sure that
our efforts and resources are put to good use,” Chief Makoni said.
According to statistics, a total of 7 500 fire incidences were experienced
country wide as at October 2010 and destroyed 950 905ha of natural
vegetation.
The landscape of Manicaland, particularly Chimanimani, Nyanga and Vumba,
offers beautiful scenery but of late, wild fires have left a trail of
destruction.
Verges of major roads especially along the Mutare-Headlands and
Mutare-Nyanga highways as well as some grazing land in Headlands, Nyazura
and Odzi areas were not spared the destruction.
This year saw Nyanga National Parks losing at least 50 hectares to fire,
believed to be caused by poachers.
The province has approximately 100 000ha of exotic plantations, mostly
located in the Eastern Highlands, which stretch from Mt Selinda in the south
to Nyanga in the north.
The plantations are generally intensively managed and comprise pines, wattle
and eucalyptus species. Commercial entities and small growers privately own
about 60 percent of these plantations, while 40 percent is publicly owned.
Despite the importance of forests and woodlands to the economy, there has
been a general increase of uncontrolled fires in the whole country, with
Manicaland being one of the worst affected.
These fires have been particularly devastating in the in the new
resettlement areas, national parks and commercial timber plantations.
Major causes of uncontrollable fires in the plantations have been discovered
to include arson, gold panners, neighbouring settlers, honey collection,
electrical faults, cigarettes and campers.
In the newly resettled areas, lack of fireguards, mice hunting, clearing of
arable areas and bee smoking are the major factors.
The implementation of the fire protection strategy has been slow due to lack
of adequate capacity and resources to allow for stakeholder interaction at
grassroots level. Budgetary constraints have also made it difficult to
effectively control fires.
Major causes of fires
Plantations:
arson, gold panners, neighbouring settlers, honey collection, electrical
faults, cigarettes and campers.
Resettled areas:
lack of fireguards, mice hunting, clearing of arable areas and bee smoking.
Destroyed by fire
Nationwide:
7 500 fires
950 905 ha destroyed
Manicaland:
8 000 ha timber plantations
17 300 ha destroyed