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BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. AN ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL VELD FIRE MANAGEMENT IN DRIEFONTAIN GRASSLANDS, CENTRAL ZIMBABWE. MOYO LLOYD K (B1232730) A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEGREE IN (NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT) DECEMBER 2015 DEDICATION. To my loving mom Elizabeth Magumise, my uncle Evangelist R. Mukozho-Magumise and my caring brother Louis. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I give thanks to the Lord God Almighty of Paul Mwazha of Africa who has kept me in good health, peace and love through my work related learning. I also wish to extend a word of gratitude and great appreciation to my family for the financial support that enabled me to do this research. Special thanks go to my uncle Evangelist R.M Magumise and my lovely mother E. Magumise. Secondly, I want to thank my supervisors Proffesor G. Nyamadzawo and Mr T.Nyamugure for supervising this project. This research would have been still-born had it not been for the help I received from Chikomba District Environmental Officer Mr J. Maungwa, EMA -Masvingo Provincial Office staff and the respondents who provided information to my study. This work would not have been complete without the input of the above-mentioned individuals. I salute all my lecturers and friends. ABSTRACT. Veld fires are known for destroying habitats of many species. Habitats for birds are not spared from veld fires. This case study evaluated the effects of veld fires on the habitat destruction at the Driefontein Grassland in central of Zimbabwe a RAMSAR wetland site and the only habitat for crane birds in the country. Clearing land for agriculture (63.63%) in wetlands in response to the changing climatic patterns and hunting (10.9%) and were perceived as the major cause of veld fires. The study showed that here is in inadequate knowledge concerning veld fire related legal requirements especially on wetlands which are breeding grounds and habitats for birds. The fire management practices that were identified and used by locals to control fires at Driefontein Grassland included fighting fire with fire (63.63%), use of tree branches (100%), ground clearing (100%), and grass cutting (100%). Veld fires and climate change noted as the main threats of habitats. Climate change and agricultural encroachment has resulted in the reduction of the size of the wetland. The paper recommends several interventions from the government, communities, councils and non-governmental organisations that will enhance effective protection and conservation of habitat areas of endangered birds. These include the construction of fire guards, early burning, training and empowering local communities to fight veld fires and the integration of modern firefighting systems with indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). Keywords: veldfire, endangered species, Grassland TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. ii 1.1. Background to the study ........................................................................................... 2 2.3.1. Status of Institutional frameworks in veld fire management. ................................ 6 CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................................... 11 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 11 3.1.2. Climate background ............................................................................................. 12 3.1.3. Vegetation, soil type and key biodiversity .......................................................... 13 3.2. Research design ........................................................................................................... 13 3.4. Sample population ....................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................... 16 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 16 4.2. The extent of community participation in fire related activities ............................ 16 CHAPTER 5 ........................................................................................................................... 20 DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................................... 20 5.4. Use and functions of fire in communities ................................................................. 22 5.6. Fire fighting ................................................................................................................ 22 CHAPTER 6 ........................................................................................................................... 24 RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION ............................................................. 24 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 25 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: map of driefontein grasslands,central of ziombabwe ........................................ 12 Table 1: Participation response factors .................................................................................. 16 Table 1: participation response factors.................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 2:indegenous fire management practises ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 2: Awareness of indegenous veld fire practises. ........................................................ 18 Figure 2: awareness of indegenous veld fire practises ............ Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 3: challenges influencing veld fires to increase ............. Error! Bookmark not defined. ACRONOMYS • EMA- Environmental Management Agency or Environmental Management Act • SADC-Southern African Development Community • IBA-Important Bird Are • CAP-Chapter • FC –Forest Commission • ZRP-Zimbabwe Republic Police • RAMSAR – Wetlands of International Importance • Dr- Doctor • Mr- Mister • Sign-significance • df-degree of freedom • p-probability CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background to the study Frequent uncontrolled high intensity veld fires threaten the world socially, economically and environmentally as they cause loss of important flora and fauna and severe environmental degradation (EMA, 2015; Nyamadzawo et al., 2013). Rapid veld fires have been noticed in protected and non-protected areas of Zimbabwe since the Fast Track Land Reform Program of the early 2000s. Historic statistics show that before Fast Track Land Reform Program, natural resources management was done differently with the current managing arrangements. Before natural resources management was under two institutional models: The Traditional Leaders looking after the rural areas; and the Intensive Conservation Area and Natural Resources Committees looking after the Commercial and Purchase farm areas respectively. These committees dealt with issues of environment and natural resources management of soil conservation, deforestation, veld fires and land degradation. The un-protected Driefontain grasslands were not spared from this scourge despite it being communally managed (Zembe et al ., 2014; Fakarayi et al., 2015). Whitlock et al (2010) and Nyamadzawo et al., (2013) cited population growth, unsustainable land management and a breakdown in traditional management practices as drivers of veld fires. It has been noted that veld fires are on the increase in Zimbabwe causing negative impacts on the natural environment and human welfare. What is making the problem of veld fires more challenging is the unknown reasons behind the increases in frequencies (Nkomo and Sassi, 2009), despite the availability of legal frameworks which criminalize starting of veld fires. It is therefore important to manage veld fires properly for environmental conservation and protection. The persistence of veld fires year after year in Driefontein grasslands also suggests that an investigative of veld fire management practises is necessary. This calls for community based veld fire control strategies. Without preventive measures put in place to guard against veld fires, fire will continue to affect lives whenever the weather is favourable and when there is something to burn (Siwele, 2011).Understanding community members’ knowledge concerning veld fire management practises at a site-specific level can assist a planner in 2 developing and implementing successful fire-hazard reduction strategies as well as fire prevention plans. 1.2. Problem Statement Most grassland areas including Driefontain grasslands, affected by veld fires, are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to a combination of dry biomass and poor fire management practices. Furthermore, increased human encroachment on formerly remote and unpopulated areas has also increased vulnerability of the ecosystem to veld fires, which are attributed to the community failure to respond effectively to pieces of legislation in place such as Environmental Management Act (CAP, 20:27) of 2002 supported by Statutory Instrument 7of 2007.Studies assessing veld fire management systems in African grassland ecosystems, particularly in Zimbabwean grasslands where important bird