Chief Gutu has urged authorities to crack down harder on environmental offenders, calling for stricter enforcement of existing laws and harsher penalties for those responsible for veld fires, deforestation, and the destruction of wetlands.
Speaking at the recent launch of Masvingo Provincial Fire Week, an event organised by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) at Mpandawana Growth Point, Chief Gutu, whose real name is Lawrence Chigariro, stressed the urgent need to protect Zimbabwe’s natural resources before more damage is done. He said:
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.
In his remarks, Councillor Charles Mani also emphasised the need to tackle the issue of veld fires and underscored ongoing efforts to educate communities on fire prevention measures. Said Cllr Mani:
As the Gutu Rural District Council, we are proactively preparing for the fire season. We are working closely with communities and all relevant stakeholders to ensure they are well-informed and equipped to reduce fire outbreaks.
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.
EMA Masvingo Provincial Manager, Mr Milton Muusha, stated that within Masvingo Province, the Gutu and Masvingo districts have been identified as high-risk areas. Consequently, EMA has intensified its awareness campaigns in these regions. Said Muusha:
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.
Within Masvingo province, the Gutu and Masvingo districts have been identified as high-risk areas, which is why we have intensified our awareness campaigns in these regions.
EMA has reported that 19,210 hectares of land were destroyed by veld fires in Masvingo in 2024, compared to 37,776.67 hectares in 2023.
More: EnviroPress
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