Fires destroyed 1.5 million hectares in 2022

Three people lost their lives last year, as the country battled more than 900 reported veld fires that destroyed massive areas of land across the country.

A total of 1.5 million hectares of land were destroyed in veld fires in 2022, compared to 3.1 million hectares in 2021.

There has also been a reduction in the number of veld fires reported in the country, from a total of 1 234 in 2021 to 930 countrywide in 2022.

Compared to three people who died in fires last year, six died in 2021.



Visible damage

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said that in line with climate change predictions, veld fires continue to become more devastating and widespread.

However, on the other hand, there has been a reduction with regards to the number of areas burned and veld fires in Namibia from 2021 to 2022.

"This is due to the interventions put in place by the ministry, which include, amongst others, the implementation of the charcoal production guidelines, the maintenance and development of fire cut lines, and the awareness and training of stakeholders in basic firefighting."

According to him, among the worst-affected regions in 2022 were the Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Khomas, Omaheke, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, ||Karas, and Oshikoto.



Illegal activities addressed

Shifeta said that community forests now cover an area of 8.7 million hectares, while another 16 are in the process of being gazetted.

He said the ministry has observed with concern the increasing construction of settlements in community forest areas and is calling on the assistance of traditional authorities to stamp out this illegal activity.

According to him, the restrictions introduced on timber harvesting, transportation, marketing and export in 2018 have led to a major reduction in deforestation and illegal timber harvesting.

Shifeta said the ministry also stepped up forest monitoring and inspection activities to ensure the prevention of illegal operations.

"In an effort to promote the local timber industry, the restriction was partially lifted to allow for the transportation of timber within the country."

As a result, the ministry has seen the establishment of some local sawmills and increased local value addition taking place with regard to timber resources.

"This is encouraging, and we will consider further lifting of the restriction in the next financial year, at least with respect to community forests that are dependent on the sustainable utilisation of forest resources."