THE devastating impact of veld fires on Zimbabwe’s environment and economy has sparked a call to action from the government.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Marion Chombo emphasised the need for collective action to prevent veld fires from ravaging the country’s forests, grasslands and wildlife habitats.
“The statistics are alarming,” Chombo, who was speaking at the launch of the 2025 Provincial Fire Awareness Week last week, said.
“In 2024, a staggering 403 597 hectares of land were destroyed, marking a 78% increase from the previous year.
“The province of Mashonaland West has been particularly hard hit, with districts such as Zvimba, Hurungwe and Makonde experiencing some of the worst veld fires.”
According to the Environmental Management Agency (Ema), many veld fires are caused by human activities, which include land clearing and hunting, among others.
Documented veld fire causes, as recorded by Ema, include reckless disposal of cigarette stubs, lighting fires on roadsides while waiting for early morning buses, deliberate lighting of fires, children playing with fire-starting tools such as matches and improper household ash disposal.
Many communities are unaware of the devastating impact of veld fires and the importance of protecting the environment.
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To address this, Chombo called for comprehensive awareness and education programmes on veld fire mitigation.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution secretary Josphat Jaji emphasised the need for a unified approach to veld fire prevention.
“We must work together to develop actionable strategies and policy reforms that will ensure significant progress in addressing this challenge,” he said.
The Fire Awareness Week provides a platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss the critical issue of veld fire management.
The event was attended by traditional leaders, government officials and representatives from various sectors.
