700 000 hectares lost in fires
700 000 hectares lost in fires
06 September 2012
published by www.newsday.co.zw
Zimbabwe–– MUTARE An estimated 700 000 hectares of pastures and plantations have reportedly been destroyed this year alone, raising alarm on the increase of veld fire outbreaks across the country, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has said.
EMA Manicaland provincial manager Kingstone Chitotombe told NewsDay yesterday that a total of 696 290 hectares of grasslandand forests had been destroyed by veld fires since May.
A total of 696 290 hectares were burnt down this fire season nationally.
There was sizable destruction again here in Manicaland where valuable forests are being destroyed, he said.
In Manicaland, two people lost their lives in the veld fires. There was a child who tried to participate in putting out a fire and an elderly woman who failed to put out the fire which she had started in her garden. These are few sad results of uncontrolled fires. Such sad situations can be avoided if people become responsible.
Last year, 110 000 hectares of gazetted forests were destroyed by veld fires where 21 people were killed, with Mashonaland Central province topping the list of fatalities.