Veld fires fuel anger

RUNDU – Veld fires destroyed a large grazing area between Ndiyona and Nanazere villages in eastern Kavango last month, Gciriku Chief Kassian Shiyambi says.

Chief Shiyambi issued a stern warning that people who start fires will be prosecuted. He ordered headmen to identify the culprits, adding that if a culprit is not found, steps will be taken against all residents in the affected areas.”The Government through its Directorate of Forestry is working tirelessly in educating the community on the danger of forest fires, but no changes yet,” the Chief said.In an interview with Nampa, Shiyambi said preventing veld fires should not be seen as the problem of the authorities alone, but should be a combined effort because everybody depends on forests in different ways.The chief called on people to declare war against forest fires, which destroy valuable grazing and forests.- NampaHe ordered headmen to identify the culprits, adding that if a culprit is not found, steps will be taken against all residents in the affected areas.”The Government through its Directorate of Forestry is working tirelessly in educating the community on the danger of forest fires, but no changes yet,” the Chief said.In an interview with Nampa, Shiyambi said preventing veld fires should not be seen as the problem of the authorities alone, but should be a combined effort because everybody depends on forests in different ways.The chief called on people to declare war against forest fires, which destroy valuable grazing and forests.- Nampa