Zim Now Writer
Chief Gutu, born Lawrence Chigariro, has called on authorities to intensify the fight against environmental crimes by enforcing existing laws more strictly and imposing harsher penalties on those responsible for veld fires, deforestation, and wetland destruction.
He made the remarks during the launch of the Masvingo Provincial Fire Week, an awareness event held at Mpandawana Growth Point and organised by the Environmental Management Agency. Chief Gutu warned that if urgent action isn’t taken, Zimbabwe’s natural resources will continue to suffer irreversible damage.
“This season, we received more rainfall, which has led to a significant increase in biomass, and as traditional leaders, we are deeply troubled by the negative impact of veld fires on communities. We are doing our part to raise awareness and advocate for stiffer penalties for individuals found guilty of igniting veld fires,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Councillor Charles Mani emphasised the importance of preparedness ahead of the fire season. He said the Gutu Rural District Council is actively working with communities and stakeholders to educate residents on fire prevention and ensure readiness.
“We already have trained personnel in the communities and a standby fire tender acquired with government support. We are prepared to mitigate fire incidents that could lead to loss of life,” said Cllr Mani.
EMA Masvingo Provincial Manager Milton Muusha said Gutu and Masvingo districts remain the most vulnerable areas in the province, prompting intensified outreach efforts.
“We have begun engaging communities to identify effective methods to minimise fire outbreaks in accordance with NDS1, which aims to reduce the total area burnt by 10% each season. This year, we are particularly concerned about the high biomass due to the heavy rainfall.
“We have initiated collaboration with farmers and the broader community to focus on measures such as hay baling, establishing fire guards, and providing training in veld fire management,” Muusha said.
Statistics from EMA show that veld fires destroyed 19,210 hectares of land in Masvingo in 2024, down from 37,776.67 hectares recorded in 2023.
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