09 Apr 2017

Director of the Department of Forestry and Range Resources, Dr Mmasera Manthe-Tsuaneng has appealed to graduates of a basic fire management course and their leadership to put up concerted efforts in the upcoming fire season.

Speaking during a closing and award ceremony of community fire management empowerment of non-actors state project, Dr Manthe-Tsuaneng informed trainees from Paje, Serowe and Mabeleapodi, who form part the of Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust (KRST) that the fire season started in May.

She urged trainees and their village leadership to prepare to fight and manage fires which she said were of catastrophic consequences.

“Wildland fires are an annual occurrence which if not properly managed can be devastating,” she said, and revealed that 13 lives were lost and over 12 million hectares of land ravaged in 2013 fires.

The consequences of the 2013 fires led to the department requesting assistance from the Australian government on managing fires.

She hailed KRST for their efforts in environmental protection by way of community education. Consequently, buoyed by KRST progress, Dr Manthe-Tsuaneng challenged other community based organisations to follow suit and assist government in environmental protection.

She added that “fire management is not a one man show, but requires collective responsibility of all stakeholders.”

The project trained 160 community members, 96 from Serowe, 21 from Paje 21 from Mabeleapodi and 20 from the trust and government employ.

The chairperson of KRST, Mr Bathusi Letlhare told trainees that it was paramount to be versed with factors that affected conservation for them to successfully conserve the environment.

He revealed that fire had killed some people in the villages where trainees hailed, torched down their restaurant at KRS which had been rebuilt courtesy of insurance.

It was the above shattering effects of fire that the KRST indulged the department of forestry and range resources to empower selected members of the villages that form part of KRST with fire fighting skills so they could help dowse fires in future.

Mr Letlhare said plans were afoot to involve Mmashoro and Tshimoyapula residents in the projects since they too were in the vicinity and affected by operations of KRST.

He challenged the trained to utilise their skills even in areas outside their lodgings where their requisite fire fighting skills and knowledge could come in handy.

For his part, Bangwato regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane warned of the ravaging and destructive nature of fires especially after rains that culminated in growth of huge chuffs.

He appealed to his fellow dikgosi to talk their subjects against starting fires in the bushes, saying such could result in ravaging fires that could spiral out of control.

He encouraged the trained to disseminate the message to the untrained so they could not fall victim to fires in the upcoming fire season. ENDS