10 Feb 2019

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Felix Monggae, says Kweneng District Bush Fire Risk Management Plan will provide guidance on fire management.

Officially launching the district’s four-year plan in Molepolole recently, he expressed gratitude over completion of the plan.

He said Kweneneg District fire management plan would also be a guiding tool for fire management to all land owners, the community and leaders. 

Deputy permanent secretary, said the decision to develop the district plan was prompted by fact that the country was experiencing some harsh weather conditions due to global warming.

“An integrated approach of prevention and suppression approach in collaboration with communities has served us well in some districts, therefore it must be encouraged at all time.

The country come a long way in managing bush fire and the results of this past fire season has shown that preparedness is fundamental as the district experienced worst fire season especially around Khutse Game Reserve and some Kweneng west areas.

"I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all our collaborating partners, governments of Australia and Japan, FCB and UNDP for their continued support in efforts to improve conservation of forest and range resources,” stated Mr Monggae.

In his welcome remarks Bakwena’s Kgosi Kgari Sechele III, said bush fire risk management involved identifying the level of risk posed by bush fire to assets.

Therefore there was dire need for the district to come up with strategies aimed at protecting assets or valuables from adverse effects of bush fires.

He underscore the need for land owners, public or private to understand that they too were duty bound to prevent the occurrence of bush fire around their properties and to minimise the risk of spread of bush fire in their respective farms. 

The responsibility, he said, was legislated under Section 7 and 10 of the heritage prevention act of 1977. 

“The purpose of Bush Fire Risk Management Plan is to protect the community and their valuables from adverse effect of wildfires," Kgosi Kgari said. ENDS