Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Midlands province has recorded a significant decrease in cases of veld fire incidents, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) revealed yesterday.
According to the organisation, the province saw a decline in hectarage destroyed by veld fires from 269,375,149 hectares in 2014 to 92,600,52 hectares last year.
EMA provincial education and publicity officer, Timothy Nyoka, said the limited incidents though devastating in their respective districts, were recorded in Gweru, Kwekwe, Chirumanzu, Gokwe North and South and Shurugwi.
Nyoka blamed illegal gold panners and fish poachers for causing veld fires in Gweru and Kwekwe.
The fire season starts next month and ends on October 31.
Nyoka said they had increased fire awareness campaigns in the province to curb incidents which he said burnt property, killed wild animals and their habitat.
“I’m happy to announce that we have witnessed a decrease in cases of fire incidents in the province between 2014 and 2015. A total of 92,600,52 hectares were destroyed last year as compared to 269,375,149 hectares during the same period in 2014,” he said.
He said EMA has set a target of zero deaths in Midlands province during this year’s veld fire season adding that villagers, farm owners in the eight districts making up the province should join their hands to avoid deaths this fire season.
“We expect a lot of co-operation from different stakeholders of the Midlands province since we wish to have zero loss of human life due to veld fires. Our experience as EMA within the province is that many stakeholders think it is the responsibility of the agency to put out all veld fires within their properties and farms.”
He urged property owners to make fire guards to prevent the spread of fires.
Nyoka said EMA issued 34 tickets last year to people found guilty of starting veld fires.
In 2014, the province recorded three deaths after members of the same family died in Chiodza village, Chirumanzu after they were trapped in a veld fire.
In Lalapanzi, a fire destroyed property worth $11, 400.