EMA targets zero fire incidents

AT least 18 000 hectares of land were burnt in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province last year although this was a 79 percent reduction from the 93 000 hectares that were burnt in 2015, an official said.

Environmental Management Agency Matabeleland North provincial manager Mrs Chipo Mpofu-Zuze said the aim was to reduce the fire incidents to zero.

“The veld fires went down by 79 percent in Lupane and we are expecting to record zero percent in 2017 because the community is responding well to our campaigns and educational programmes. Instead of burning the grass, people can actually cut and sell it, creating employment especially for the young people,” she said

Mrs Mpofu-Zuze said EMA was encouraged by the response of people in Lupane as they have embraced the idea of constructing fire guards at their homesteads.

“People from rural areas need continuous assessment, people facilitating such education should be with the community until they reach perfect standards,” she added.

Various stakeholders were involved in the Lupane veld fire project which include Kusileni Project which is under the Bulawayo City Council which provided equipment that villagers can use to prevent fire outbreaks.

Chief Mabhikwa Khumalo said communities must continue embracing educational programmes meant to protect the natural environment.

“For the past five years Lupane has recorded the highest rate of veld fires until EMA came on board to help villagers on how to construct fire guards in 2015.

“People in my area have benefited a lot through the fire guard education. This has also helped A2 farmers in the area,” he said.

Chief Mabhikwa said burning of grass was not just destroying grass but killing other creatures such as rats and snakes resulting in a negative effect on the ecological system.