MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – Masvingo Province lost 3 856 hectares of vegetation to veld fires since the veld fire season began on July 1, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has said.
Masvingo Province EMA Public Relations Officer, Munyaradzi Mtisi told The Mirror that the province has recorded 31 veld fires.
He said Masvingo district recorded eight veld fires, the highest for any district. Gutu recorded seven veld fires whilst Chivi recorded two veld fires. Zaka recorded one veld fire whilst Bikita and Mwenezi didn’t record any veld fires.
Mtisi said Chiredzi recorded 13 veld fires and it was cane being burnt by farmers in plantations.
“Cases detected in Chiredzi by the satellite are due to the burning of cane in plantations by farmers. The veld fires had minimal damages. Wildlife is the most affected,” he said.
The fire season runs from July 1 to October 31 every year.
Most of the veld fires are a result of land clearings and suspected illegal hunting.
The province recorded 71 veld fires and lost 27 400 during last year’s veld fire season.