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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Eight people were killed by veld fires last year with over one million hectares of forests and grasslands destroyed, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said this week as the country gears up for a new dry season and high fire risks.

Last year, the damage caused by veld fires was lower than in the previous year, despite the excellent rains that produced more veld to burn, thanks to preventative measures put in place, although the number of the dead was higher than the four of 2020.

Speaking during the launch of the National Veld Fire Awareness week in Harare on Monday, Minister Ndlovu said veld fires were an environmental challenge given their wanton destruction of property, agricultural harvest, the environment and the loss of life.

Minister Ndlovu also handed over a donation of nine 10 000-litre water tanks, a dam scooper, tow grader, 1 008 fire beaters, 120 high pressure knapsack sprayers, six fire catchers and six fire blowers, which will be distributed in Hurungwe, Muzarabani and Mbire, three districts with high fire risk.

The national veld fire awareness week is set aside for the launch of the dissemination of information on the prevention of veld fire and protection of ecosystems from veld fire.

It was launched on Tuesday running under the theme: “Veld fires, a food security threat, protect the harvest”, which focuses on the links between veld fire management and sustainable food systems.

Minister Ndlovu said each year, Zimbabwe loses an average of 1 million hectares of forests and grasslands to veld fire, depriving wildlife and livestock of pastures.

“In 2021, a total of 3 948 fires were recorded during the dry season which destroyed 1 033 122ha of forests and grasslands compared to 1 178 fires recorded in 2020 which destroyed 1 100 000ha hectares,” he said.

“The average area burnt in 2021 was 261 830 hectares lower than 2020, also the lowest of any of the previous years.”

“This is because communities were on high alert as a result of a robust, accelerated awareness that was put in place and worked together with the stakeholders to prevent veld fires that would have started in the various areas and prevented them from becoming wild.

“Regrettably, eight lives were lost due to veld fires in 2021 as compared to four in 2020. It is sad to note that during the past decade more than 100 people have succumbed to veld fires. There is a need to put extra effort in fighting this scourge so that no lives are lost in the infernos.”

Minister Ndlovu said there was need to take veld fires as a national disaster considering their destructive nature.

Fire has become more of an enemy than a friend, said Minister Ndlovu, and its management has become a priority in the NDS1.

Chiefs’ Council President Chief Fortune Charumbira said the donated equipment would be taken to people who are under direct traditional leadership as they were the prime beneficiaries of the efforts to control veld fires.

“Rural people are dependent on nature and the environment in all the activities of their lives. This donation will go to the heart of the rural people because their daily lives are dependent on the environment,” he said.

The event was supported by the Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Agency, Friends of the Environment, and Campfire and Firefighters Association.