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Every year warnings against starting veld fires are given yet the problem always returns to haunt Zimbabwe despite the massive campaigns conducted to discourage people from starting fires.What clearly emerges is that the warnings fall on deaf ears as people do not seriously take warnings and lessons they get from authorities like the Environmental Management Agency.

It is these little habits of humans that can easily be stopped that have resulted in the destruction of the vast tracts of land each year.

People are warned to stop recklessly disposing of lit cigarette stubs, to stop smoking out bees for honey harvesting and light fires at road sides while waiting for early morning buses.

Among the major causes of veld fires is the clearing of land, hunting of small game-like rabbits, mice and hares and improper disposal of household ashes.

It can also take adults stopping children playing with matches to prevent what could be a monumental destruction of property and lives.

What is shocking is that there are some among us who have the urge to deliberately start a veld fire knowing fully well the devastating consequences.

This is an occurrence almost every year and to some extent we blame lack of surveillance by the responsible authorities and the light sentences such people receive in case they are arrested and appear in court.

It is time that authorities implement Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 as read with Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27), which says that no person is allowed to light a fire outside residential and commercial premises during the period 31 July to 31 October of each year.

We are already in the dry season and we note with much concern that a number of veld fires have already been reported in the last few weeks.

These fires easily get out of control and become wild, in the process destroying extensive tracts of forests, grasslands, animals, people and their property.

The fact that is bare for all to see is that the damage caused by veld fires has far outgrown the benefits of fire on the ecosystem.

Zimbabwe has also lost significantly in terms of earnings after several hectares of plantations were destroyed by veld fires.

Veld fires have led to severe environmental degradation and reduce land cover, exposing the land to soil erosion, changes in the hydrological cycle, increase in overland flow or surface run-off and modifications in various ecological processes.

In turn, soil erosion leads to the siltation of rivers and dams, thus reducing their water carrying capacity.

This dry season, let us all strive to prevent veld fires and call for zero tolerance to such fires that have been causing havoc over the years.

Farmers can erect such simple methods like fire guards which can help with stopping veld fires from spreading.

According to statistics, about 80 percent of veld fires occur in A1, A2 model farming areas, communal areas and resettlement areas.

This should make everyone worried since these areas constitute the biggest chunk of productive land which is being destroyed.

We urge authorities this season to come up with effective strategies to deal with the veld fires which often cause anguish to those affected.

Many people have lost their homes, properties and savings as a result of such veld fires.

It is the duty of everyone to fight against veld fires and we hope this season will see a major improvement, considering that the statistics are already frightening.

EMA statistics indicate that 2009 recorded 7 409 incidences of veld fire which resulted in 10 deaths and the destruction of 950 905 hectares of land.

In 2010, 25 people died due to veld fire in 9 361 incidences which resulted in the destruction of 1 152 413 hectares of land.

The statistics indicate that in 2011, 713 770 hectares of land were destroyed while five people died in 6 780 incidences of veld fire. In 2012, 1 320 325 hectares were destroyed while 16 people died in 1 861 incidences of fire.