Acting quickly to preserve ecosystems from wildfire

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Extract from the article: In the prefecture of Zio in south-east Togo, vegetation fires represent a recurring environmental challenge, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. According to Akpla Yao, Prefectural Director of the Environment in the pre

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In the prefecture of Zio in south-east Togo, vegetation fires represent a recurring environmental challenge, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. According to Akpla Yao, Prefectural Director of the Environment in the prefecture, data from the 2022-2023 campaign reveals that almost 20.41% of the territory was affected by these fires, caused by multiple causes.

« The main causes include hunting fires, wild honey harvesting fires, crop fires at the beginning and end of agricultural seasons, and fires started by herders to cause vegetation to regrow », explains Akpla Yao. He also highlights the impact of ritual, criminal and accidental fires, often caused by the carelessness of smokers, charcoal burners or travellers who abandon poorly extinguished fires.

The use of fire by hunters is particularly worrying. « When hunters set fires to flush out their game, they often abandon the blaze, which then gets out of control and ravages the surrounding vegetation. This phenomenon is exacerbated during periods of drought and in climatic conditions that favour the rapid spread of flames », he warns.

Strict regulations, but persistent challenges

A number of regulations have been put in place to provide a framework for these practices.Akpla Yao recalls decree no. 114-160 of 17 October 1914, which governs the organisation of the fight against bush fires, and law no. 2008-09 on the Forestry Code, in particular articles 64 and 124, reinforced by article 793 of the new Penal Code. These texts provide for sanctions against offenders.

However, enforcing these laws remains a challenge. «It's crucial that people are made aware of these laws to avoid conflicts with the law and prevent the disasters associated with uncontrolled fires.We use channels such as radio to reach a wide audience, and we run outreach campaigns aimed at communities, schoolchildren and traditional », explains Akpla Yao.

A challenge exacerbated by climate change

Climate change is exacerbating the virulence of vegetation fires, making the situation even more worrying. Akpla Yao is calling for collective responsibility: «Parents must make their children aware of the need to avoid playing with fire.We also need to outlaw practices such as hunting with fire, which causes considerable devastation».

Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go to curb this scourge. «Everyone must contribute to the fight against vegetation fires.We hope that people will adopt more responsible behaviour to preserve our ecosystems and protect our natural resources’, he concludes».

A vegetation fire starts on the ground and, in 9 cases out of 10, as a result of human action. The fine parts of the vegetation catch fire (grass, scrub, small branches, needles, etc.) and the fire spreads through the shrubs and dead branches closer to the ground towards the treetops.

Source: vert-togo