Stanslous Ruvengo

Dozens of families in Chivi District are now poorer after an out-of-control blaze laid waste around four hectares of arable land hosting community gardens in Gwenyanya Village, under Chief Masunda,
The wild fire incident, which happened on July 23, is suspected that the fire was caused by a reckless smoker after dropping a cigarette stub on dry veld straw.
Most gardens in rural areas are fenced by tree branches which are vulnerable to veld fires.
Last month, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) reported that 47 fire incidents had been reported since the beginning of the year, resulting in 43 843 hectares of vegetation being destroyed.
It was also reported that a total of 207 veld fire incidents that destroyed 54 971 hectares of vegetation had been recorded by the same period in 2023.