Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe

This original research confronted challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires in the Bulilima and Mangwe Districts of Matabeleland in the South Province in southern Zimbabwe. Veld fires have affected the fauna and flora, polluted air and water, and destroyed livelih...

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Main Author: Ernest Dube
Other Authors: Department of Development Studies, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
Format: research article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5483
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/224/400
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author Ernest Dube
author2 Department of Development Studies, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
author_facet Department of Development Studies, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
Ernest Dube
author_sort Ernest Dube
collection DSpace
description This original research confronted challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires in the Bulilima and Mangwe Districts of Matabeleland in the South Province in southern Zimbabwe. Veld fires have affected the fauna and flora, polluted air and water, and destroyed livelihoods. The study aimed at establishing challenges to environmental sustainability posed by veld fires, identifying the type of environment upon which veld fires have impacted, analysing legal issues and other interventions surrounding the control of veld fires and suggesting new control measures for veld fires. A qualitative research design and quota sampling were used. The study involved 30 participants. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview guide and participant observation. Challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires include property damage, reduced soil fertility, destruction of vegetation, air and water pollution and destruction of wildlife. Most veld fires are a result of human actions that emanate from the disposal of cigarettes, the burning of vegetation when preparing fields, the use of fire by hunters, smoking out bees and the making of fires by motorists along highways. The government should consider reviewing the current environmental statues. Fireguards should be wide enough to lessen veld-fire impact. Lastly, veld-fire campaigns and rehearsals should be run on a regular basis. It is hoped that this work would make a significant contribution through improving the current thinking about environmental management and sustainability, thereby benefiting policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders.
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spelling ir-11408-54832023-03-29T06:37:09Z Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe Ernest Dube Department of Development Studies, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe Environmental Management Sustainability Veld fires Bulilima district Mangwe district This original research confronted challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires in the Bulilima and Mangwe Districts of Matabeleland in the South Province in southern Zimbabwe. Veld fires have affected the fauna and flora, polluted air and water, and destroyed livelihoods. The study aimed at establishing challenges to environmental sustainability posed by veld fires, identifying the type of environment upon which veld fires have impacted, analysing legal issues and other interventions surrounding the control of veld fires and suggesting new control measures for veld fires. A qualitative research design and quota sampling were used. The study involved 30 participants. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview guide and participant observation. Challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires include property damage, reduced soil fertility, destruction of vegetation, air and water pollution and destruction of wildlife. Most veld fires are a result of human actions that emanate from the disposal of cigarettes, the burning of vegetation when preparing fields, the use of fire by hunters, smoking out bees and the making of fires by motorists along highways. The government should consider reviewing the current environmental statues. Fireguards should be wide enough to lessen veld-fire impact. Lastly, veld-fire campaigns and rehearsals should be run on a regular basis. It is hoped that this work would make a significant contribution through improving the current thinking about environmental management and sustainability, thereby benefiting policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders. 7 1 1 8 2023-03-29T06:37:08Z 2023-03-29T06:37:08Z 2015-11-27 research article https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5483 https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/224/400 en Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 2072-845X open AOSIS
spellingShingle Environmental Management
Sustainability
Veld fires
Bulilima district
Mangwe district
Ernest Dube
Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe
title Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe
title_full Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe
title_short Environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: The case of the Bulilima and Mangwe districts in southern Zimbabwe
title_sort environmental challenges posed by veld fires in fragile regions: the case of the bulilima and mangwe districts in southern zimbabwe
topic Environmental Management
Sustainability
Veld fires
Bulilima district
Mangwe district
url https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5483
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/224/400
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