The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Post Correspondent
MINISTER of Environment, Water and Climate, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, last week said anyone who constructs a house in wetlands and mountains or anyone who starts veld fires risks being fined $5 000 or get a one-year jail term.
The punitive measures were put in place through the Environmental Management Agency, in a bid to curb the persistent veld fires challenge in the country.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri made the announcement at Domborutinhira Secondary School in Mutasa where EMA awarded certificates to178 villagers who went through a three-day Training of Trainers Programme in Environmental Protection and Management Course.
She was the guest of honor at the certificate awarding ceremony.
The 178 villagers comprising of both men and women were from all the wards in Mutasa District.
The TTPEPM course was a brainchild of EMA which partnered with local authorities to ensure that there is a boom in projects around the district.
It awarded villagers with knowledge in wetland management, gulley reclamation, beekeeping, biogas, woodlot management, consolidated garden, hay baling, thatch grass, broom grass combing and non-timber forest based produce access and beneficiation and the general cycle on project planning and management.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the end of the month of July marked the beginning of the fire season.
She encouraged the construction of standard nine-metre-wide fireguards on either side of a common boundary line, making a total of 18 meters to safeguard farms and properties.
“This is the time to ensure that we construct standard nine-metre-wide fire guards on either side of a common boundary line, making a total of 18 meters to safeguard our farms and properties. Ensure that these fireguards are thoroughly maintained and kept free from any flammable material in order to break fires.
“Anyone who starts veld fires shall pay a fine of $5 000 or get a one-year jail term. The same applies to those who construct houses in wetlands and mountainous areas,” said Cde Muchinguri- Kashiri.
She, however, hailed Manicaland Province for having the lowest rate of veld fires.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said traditional and local leaders in Mutasa should use their influence to encourage the establishment of community environmental projects throughout the district.
“It is my desire that our traditional and local leaders will use their influence to encourage the establishment of community environmental projects throughout Mutasa District. I urge all the trained people to apply the lessons and techniques learnt in your areas to protect our environment and resources from veld fires,” she said.
In an interview with one of the villagers from Inyashuti Resettlement Scheme in Ward 20, Mr Benny Nemaunga, he said: “The training will help to boost projects that we already have here. We shall also pass on the knowledge that we got to our colleagues so that we all benefit.
“I also personally think that the punishment of $5 000 fine will help to make people adhere to the laws governing the protection of the environment because that amount is out of reach of many people. In that case, no-one wants to go to jail, so we will do everything necessary to protect our environment.”
