By Meditation Mposi
Masvingo Province has recorded a decline in veld fires, with a total of 15332, 45 hectares having been destroyed by veld fires as of October 11, 2024 compared to 27426 in last year’s fire season.
Masvingo Provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Public Relations Officer, Munyaradzi Mtisi said the record was from July to October.
“Last year the province recorded 27 426, 39 ha of area burnt with 283 incidents and we are expecting less cases this year.
“We have taught famers on the best practices to prevent veld fires. They constructed standard fire guards and are using other methods like hay bailing and thatch grass harvesting.
“We have also trained fire fighter teams in most villages and there is also a new law which punishes those who fail to put fire guards on premises,” Mtisi said.
Mutisi however said Gutu district had the highest number of hectares destroyed by veld fires compared to other districts.
“Gutu District has the highest number of hectares destroyed by veld fires, recording 6477, 1 hectares of area burnt by veld fires.
“Masvingo District is on second position with 4523, 72 ha, Chiredzi with 2696, 74 ha, Mwenezi has 651, 64 ha. Chivi recorded 557, 07 ha followed by Bikita with 283, 45 ha and at the bottom there is Zaka with 142, 73 ha,” said Mtisi.
Mtisi said they were expecting a lower record of veld fires in the Province compared to last year’s.
Due to drought, grasslands were almost bare and the few areas with grass became grazing grounds for cattle resulting in limited chances of veld fires.
However, Gutu District has several grasslands and wetlands with limited livestock due to the January disease which left many cattle pens empty in the district.
