Bush fires trend worrying
Bush fires trend worrying
09 June 2010
published by http://www.fijitimes.com
Fiji — BUSH fires have become a major problem for the people living in the districts of Namuka and Nadogo, Nadogo Secondary School principal Setereki Koroilagilagi said.
Villages in the two districts affected by bush fires are Lagalaga, Namuka, Nubu, Nakelikoso Daku, Wainikoro and Taganikula.
“It has become a culture for us to experience bush fires every year. It’s mainly because it’s very dry and people don’t take much care while out in the forest,” said Mr Koroilagilagi.
“People go out hunting and they throw about lit cigarettes and match sticks in the forest. Sometimes farmers lose control of fire while clearing land or preparing land for cultivation of crop.”
The frequent bush fires resulted in small scale vegetation. He said land fertility of land had been degraded. Soil has depleted and this is affecting people’s interest in large-scale farming, Mr Koroilagilagi added.
“Most of the trees are destroyed in the fire and as a result we have lost the wild life. There are not many birds in this area and there are hardly animals around unless bred by the villagers,” he said.
“The animal’s natural habitat have been disturbed and damaged. Climate change is also giving rise to the number of bush fire. There is too much heat and a lit match stick can burn the whole bush down.”
