As the Veldfire restriction period rages on, Zimbabwe is grappling with a devastating surge in wildfires, since July 1, a staggering 494,243.06 hectares have been ravaged by 1,856 fire incidents, claiming two lives in the process.
Environment Management Agency Spokesperson Amkela Sidange hinted that there has been an increase in land burnt due to veldfire incidents.”The statistics are alarming, with an average area burnt per incident soaring to 432.45 hectares in 2024, up from 316.79 hectares in 2023.”This marks a chilling 161.2% increase in land burnt and a 53.3% rise in Veldfire incidences compared to the same period last year.
This trend demands urgent attention, as the country teethers on the brink of environmental disaster.However Masvingo has the lowest of 7453,34 ha compared to Mashonaland West with the highest of 250 433,24 ha.
Masvingo Mayor Aleck Tabe commended the local authority for combating veld fires incidents in the city.
“It goes back to the background of why Masvingo Province has consistently been awarded as the best in both rural and urban areas. This is due to effective system management, achieved through educative alerts and campaigns against environmental decadence,” Tabe noted.
The Environmental Management Agency is racing against time to combat the crisis, launching a high-intensity awareness campaign and enforcing the law with 17 dockets opened so far. She went on to say regular updates on Veldfire status will be provided through cutting-edge remote sensing technology and periodic reports.
However, the public is warned to exercise extreme caution when using fire during this critical period. The spectre of the El Nino-induced drought looms large, threatening food security and exacerbating the Veldfire menace. Wheat farmers, in particular, are urged to be vigilant as the winter wheat harvest approaches.Sidange urges all stakeholders to join forces to combat this scourge through impactful programs and initiatives.
