BY NALEDI DUBE
The Environmental Management Agency has launched the fire week in Gutu District to encourage people to preserve natural resources that are destroyed by starting fires.
In an interview, Environmental Management Agency Masvingo spokesperson Munyaradzi Mtisi said they launched the fire week in ward 20 in Gutu as it is one of the districts that is prone to veld fires. This initiative is there to educate people in the district on how to conserve the environment.
‘In the year 2022, 82 664.10 hectors of land burnt were recorded as compared to 37 460.75 ha which were recorded during the fire season. 54.7 percent decrease of veld fires in the province Masvingo and Gutu districts are the two districts in Masvingo Province prone to veld fires said Mtisi
As a preventative strategy, Mr Mtisi said they have already started awareness campaigns in the province
“We are engaging communities as well as farmers to prevent veld fires in their communities. Farmers are urged to construct fireguards, hail bailing, thatch as prevention methods’
The fire season starts on the 31st of July and ends on October 31 under the theme Prevent veld fires, protect the environment and livelihoods.