Action to be taken against charcoal fires

ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

Charcoal producers violating new measures to prevent bush fires will face harsher action by the forest directory.

The director of forestry, Joseph Hailwa, last week promised “stricter action” against perpetrators during a visit by the Namibia Charcoal Association (NCA).

The Namibian Agricultural Union and the NCA receives complaints on a daily basis from non-charcoal producers that neighbouring farms are not abiding by the new measures and are therefore increasing the fire hazard to farms in the area.

According to the NAU, since the measures were implemented on 1 August, various bush fires have occurred due to negligent charcoal burning where measures were not adhered to.

Even though the forest directory promised stricter action against perpetrators, Hailwa said the directorate cannot solve the problem alone. He appealed to the NAU, the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) and the NCA for cooperation.

Harvest licences to be suspended

The NAU said farmers who witness charcoal producers not following the appropriate measures where there is a definite risk of a bush fire must first approach the concerned farm owner or charcoal producer.

In cases where this is not possible, perpetrators can be reported to the NCA with photographic evidence where possible.

The NCA will contact the local regional forestry officers, who will then undertake an inspection.

“Perpetrators’ harvest licenses can be suspended immediately and as this is also an infringement of the law. Charcoal producers can also be charged with civil action by the forestry for damage to nature,” the NAU said.

Preventative measures

The measures, which came into effect on 1 August, state that annual charcoal production between August and December may only be done provided that several measures are implemented.

This includes that all kilns must be clustered at a designated facility or central burning places per camp, an area of at least five metres must be cleared around grouped kilns and charcoal producing farms should be surrounded by 15-metre firebreaks.

Also, where kilns are lit, there must be constant supervision and firefighting equipment must be accessible at central burning places.

‘Risks need to be managed’

The NAU urged all charcoal producers and the public to ensure that they are aware of the prevention guidelines to manage the risk and prevention of veld fires.

“Charcoal is a very important agricultural commodity for many farmers and the economy of the country. It also creates jobs for thousands of people in a country where unemployment is a huge problem, but the risks need to be managed.”