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Fires in exotic forest plantations of Zimbabwe: Causes and management strategies
World Development Perspectives 9 (2018) 56–58
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
World Development Perspectives journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/wdp
Case report
Fires in exotic forest plantations of Zimbabwe: Causes and management strategies ⁎
Luke Jimua, , Innocent W. Nyakudyab a b
Department of Natural Resources, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe Department of Crop Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
A B S T R A C T
Forest plantations composed of pines, eucalypts and wattle are threatened by wildfires that are responsible for an average annual loss of 700 ha. Communities neighbouring forest plantations and illegal settlers (estimated at > 3000) occupying some areas within plantations are the major sources of wildfires that enter into plantations. Strategies to tackle fire problems in plantations should focus on (1) improving law enforcement to deter illegal starting of fires; (2) address illegal settlement; (3) explore possibilities of community shareholding and out-grower schemes and, (4) institute and increase fire awareness campaigns.
1. Introduction
2. Zimbabwe’s forestry sector
Commercial forest plantations occupy over 187,000,000 ha globally (Carle, Vuorinen, & Del Lungo, 2002). More than 120 countries in tropical and temperate regions establish forest plantations, with annual rates of about 10.5 × 106 ha per annum (Winjum & Schroeder, 1997). Africa accounts for 4% of the total global area, with Eucalyptus, Pinus and Acacia occupying 1,799,000, 1 648,000 and 345,000 ha respectively (Carle et al., 2002). Forests are established to supply a wide range of goods and services (Winjum & Schroeder, 1997). In Zimbabwe, the forest industry is important to the country’s economy, contributing about 1–3% to the Gross Domestic Product and employing over 3000 people. The main sources of forestry revenue are timber and seed exports (Shumba, Nyoka, Nyoka, & Mabvurira, 1999). The plantations are owned and operated by two private companies and one state company that produce over 87% of the national sawn timber output. Given the socioeconomic importance of the forestry industry and the challenges caused by fires and the high susceptibility of plantation grown exotic species to fire, compared to indigenous species, a proper understanding of forest fires in Zimbabwe is warranted. The aim of this paper is to suggest specific ideas that must be pursued by government, timber companies and indigenous community leaders to manage wildfires. The ensuing debate will develop a theoretical agenda for forest fire management in timber plantations in Zimbabwe and other countries where exotic timber species are grown in plantations and are threatened by wildfires.
Zimbabwe has a total land area of 39,075,700 ha of which 201,704 ha are allocated to exotic forestry. Of the 201,704 ha, 95,754 ha is plantable. The forestry sector consists of exotic forest plantations and gazetted and protected forests. The forests are found across five silvicultural zones (Fig. 1; Barrett & Mullin, 1968). As of 2014, exotic forest plantations occupied about 85,027 ha. Exotic forests are dominated by Pines (≈58,477 ha), Eucalyptus (≈14,088 ha) and Wattle (≈11,450 ha) (Fig. 2). Pines and wattle occupy areas in zones I–II and Eucalyptus occupy zones I–IV. The industry is dominated by Pinus patula, P. taeda and E. grandis. Acacia mearnsii is the only Acacia species grown in Zimbabwe, for tannin and charcoal production. The industry mainly gets its revenue from export of timber products e.g. sawn timber, poles, veneer and plywood. It employed 3833 workers in 2014, with the majority (1856) of these directly employed in plantations while the remainder were working in sawmills, treatment plants, factories and administration.
⁎
Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (L. Jimu).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2018.04.006 Received 28 August 2017; Accepted 5 April 2018 2452-2929/ © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
3. Forest fire damage Forest fires are responsible for significant financial losses to commercial forest owners in Zimbabwe. The Timber Producers Federation (TPF) showed that the country loses hundreds to thousands of hectares of forest land area to fires every year. For example, in 2009 alone, the industry lost about 18,049 ha of timber plantations to forest fires. In this particular year, fire losses tripled the total area coppiced and replanted, which was 5954 ha. The total area lost to fires (3174) was close
World Development Perspectives 9 (2018) 56–58
L. Jimu, I.W. Nyakudya
Fig. 1. Silvicultural zones of Zimbabwe.
forest plantations. These include clearing land for cropping, honeybee smoking, charcoal and farm brick making, attract and flush out game during hunting, stimulate growth of fresh grass for livestock and arson. Some fires are started within the plantations particularly from illegal settlements and workers’ compounds. Of late, forest plantations in the eastern highlands have seen increasing numbers of illegal settlers, for example, statistics from the TPF’s 2014 report indicated that 7919 ha of timber plantations had been illegally occupied by 1535 settlers who cost the nation over US$1.5 million worth of timber through illegal harvests and fires. Some spontaneous fires emanate from cigarette smoking, electrical faults, gold panning, lightning strikes, locomotives along transportation corridors (highways, roads, trails) and camping sites. Once started, the spread of fires into plantations is worsened by the high fuel loads on the plantation floors. The cooler climate in the eastern highlands causes slow decomposition of leaves and woody material, particularly those of pines, leading to the accumulation of litter that has important consequences on forest fire hazard. Floors of forest stands especially those approaching maturity are usually covered by thick mats of organic matter. In mature pine stands, aboveground biomass is quite substantial, ranging from 18,000 to 25,000 g m−2 while in Eucalyptus stands it may reach 39,000 g m−2 at 27 years age (FAO, 2001). This biomass accumulates on forest floors, providing fuels that increase fire intensity in plantations. Intermediate operations such as weeding, pruning and thinning significantly contribute to litter accumulation. Forest plantations are invaded or surrounded by invader species such as Acacia mearnsii and Lantana camara that lead to litter accumulation, increasing wildfire damages and costs of fire protection.
Fig. 2. Species composition of Zimbabwean exotic forest plantations.
to the area that was coppiced and replanted (3843 ha) in 2013. The 2016 fire season was even worse, recording 252 fires and destroyed over 20,000 ha of forest plantations. Efforts to prevent and control fires are associated with further costs to property owners. These include labour and purchase of fire equipment. Depending on fire severity and age of the trees, losses linked to fires are reduced through salvage cuttings, in which mildly burnt timber is harvested and processed. Forest fires destroy property e.g. Border Timbers Limited lost a pole treatment plant to fire in 2011.
5. Forest fire legislation and policy
4. Causes of fires
The Zimbabwean government, through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism formulated the National Fire Protection Strategy and Implementation Plan in 2006. This was in direct response to the unprecedented fires in 2004 and 2005 that destroyed 12% of the national pine forest resource. The Strategy focuses on prevention because the
Most fires in Zimbabwean plantations originate from communal areas and neighbouring forest estates. Fires are used for various reasons in indigenous communities from which they escape into neighbouring 57
World Development Perspectives 9 (2018) 56–58
L. Jimu, I.W. Nyakudya
major causes of fire in the country are anthropogenic in nature. The Forest Act (CAP 19.05) and the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) provide legislation for control of fires and burning of vegetation.
and kraal heads, in addition to the Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Agency and the Republic’s police. These important stakeholders should assist in the prosecution of fire offenders and fire awareness campaigns. Whilst this is a good initiative, it should be implemented together with other strategies that yield mutual benefits.
6. Strategies to reduce fires in plantations There is no single solution to attempts to manage fires in timber plantations. There is need for concerted efforts from the Government, timber estate owners and community leaders to:
6.5. Promote shareholding and out-grower schemes Plantation forestry, similar to other large-scale investments like in tea, coffee and sugar plantations are general viewed by indigenous people as ‘foreign’, belonging to private entities and the government. This exposes them to risks particularly starting of fires attributed to arson, and illegal settlement. This attitude can be changed through incentives to the communities through broadening shareholding of timber production companies and promoting timber out-grower schemes, as recommended by the Presidential Land Review Committee on the Implementation of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme, popularly known as the Utete report of 2003. Promoting the establishment and management of timber out-growers has potential to establish buffers against fires that originate from neighbouring communities. Border Timbers Limited supported a 450 ha out-grower scheme that assisted 65 farmers to grow Eucalyptus for pole production, starting from 1996 (Desmond & Race, 2000). Similarly, Zimboard started four out-grower schemes in 1997–1999, involving 3 individual farmers and 42 farmers organised in two cooperatives. The total area cultivated under these schemes was 740 ha. The established timber companies assist out-growers by providing technical knowledge, access to timber processing facilities and marketing of products.
6.1. Enforce forest policy Zimbabwe has enacted a number of laws and established institutions to tackle forest fires, but these have overall been ineffective because fires continue to destroy plantations and properties. One major problem faced in Zimbabwe is failure by government to enforce the laws. It is imperative that the government enforce the Forestry Act and remove all illegal settlers and prosecute all fire offenders as this would deter these unlawful acts. In cases where the person who has caused a fire is caught, sometimes the penalties are not enough deterrents for future fire events. It is important for government to empower policing authorities such as the Republic’s police, the Environmental Management Agency and Forestry Commission by providing resources to facilitate efficient responses to incidences of fire. 6.2. Address illegal settlement It is important for government and plantation owners to address the fundamental causes of fires and factors contributing to these fires. For example, the problem of arson fires will not be resolved unless the issue of illegal settlers is addressed in Zimbabwean forest plantations. The issue of illegal settlers is deep rooted and dates back to over a century ago when land was acquired and demarcated for commercial plantation purposes despite a history of occupancy or use by local communities. This was seen as dispossession and the affected people in surrounding communities will continue to invade these lands at every opportune time. This is aggravated by the political situation that prevents forest companies from exercising their full rights under the law. Given the increasing pressure on land, it becomes very difficult for these companies and law enforcement authorities to enforce evictions and other policing activities such as fire openly.
6.6. Maintain fire prevention and suppression Forest owners should continue to invest in fire prevention, early detection, reporting systems, rapid access and direct suppression of fires. Factors that contribute to fires starting and spreading in plantations have to be managed. These include clearing slash after intermediate treatments like pruning and thinning. Excessive fuels on forest floors can be managed by prescribed burnings. Invasive species within and surrounding plantations ought to be managed to reduce fuel and potential sources of wildfires. Moribund forests that are a common site in some plantations can be sources of fires and therefore should be cleared and replaced with productive forest stands.
6.3. Augment fire education and awareness campaigns
Conflict of Interest
Due to the realisation that most fires that originate from surrounding communities are often associated with land preparation for cropping, it is imperative that these communities are involved in efforts to manage fires. Activities may include fire awareness campaigns, training and formation of local fire management committees in selected districts. Fire awareness campaigns can be done through roadside billboards, fire pamphlets and drama presentations. Awareness campaigns should be extended to primary and secondary schools in order to instil a culture of good fire management in indigenous people at early ages.
We, the authors, hereby declare that we do not have any conflict of interest in publishing this article in the World Development Perspectives journal. References Barrett, R. L., & Mullin, L. J. (1968). A review of introductions of forest trees in Rhodesia. The Rhodesia Bulletin of Forestry Research, 1, 63. Carle, J., Vuorinen, P., & Del Lungo, A. (2002). Status and trends in global forest plantation development. Forest Products Journal, 52, 1–13. Desmond, H., & Race, D. (2000). Global survey and analytical framework for forestry outgrower arrangements. Final Report submitted to the UN's Food and Agricultural OrganisationCanberra, Australia: Department of Forestry-Australian National University. FAO (2001). Global Forest Fire Assessment 1990–2000. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Forest Department Forest Resources Assessment Programme Working Paper 55, Rome. Shumba, E. M., Nyoka, I. B., Nyoka, I. B., & Mabvurira, D. (1999). Forestry research and its contribution to improving commercial forestry practices in Zimbabwe. The International Forestry Review, 1, 97–101. Winjum, J. K., & Schroeder, P. E. (1997). Forest plantations of the world: Their extent, ecological attributes, and carbon storage. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 84, 153–167.
6.4. Strengthen institutional linkages with indigenous communities In their efforts to engage indigenous communities in fighting fires, timber companies, through the Timber Producers Federation mooted the idea of District Fire Committees that include important stakeholders such as landowners, traditional leaders, local authorities, the Republic’s police and the Environmental Management Agency and Forestry Commission. These committees allow concerted effort in the development and implementation of fire management plans. This is particularly important as it includes various forms of policing that include chiefs
58
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
World Development Perspectives journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/wdp
Case report
Fires in exotic forest plantations of Zimbabwe: Causes and management strategies ⁎
Luke Jimua, , Innocent W. Nyakudyab a b
Department of Natural Resources, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe Department of Crop Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
A B S T R A C T
Forest plantations composed of pines, eucalypts and wattle are threatened by wildfires that are responsible for an average annual loss of 700 ha. Communities neighbouring forest plantations and illegal settlers (estimated at > 3000) occupying some areas within plantations are the major sources of wildfires that enter into plantations. Strategies to tackle fire problems in plantations should focus on (1) improving law enforcement to deter illegal starting of fires; (2) address illegal settlement; (3) explore possibilities of community shareholding and out-grower schemes and, (4) institute and increase fire awareness campaigns.
1. Introduction
2. Zimbabwe’s forestry sector
Commercial forest plantations occupy over 187,000,000 ha globally (Carle, Vuorinen, & Del Lungo, 2002). More than 120 countries in tropical and temperate regions establish forest plantations, with annual rates of about 10.5 × 106 ha per annum (Winjum & Schroeder, 1997). Africa accounts for 4% of the total global area, with Eucalyptus, Pinus and Acacia occupying 1,799,000, 1 648,000 and 345,000 ha respectively (Carle et al., 2002). Forests are established to supply a wide range of goods and services (Winjum & Schroeder, 1997). In Zimbabwe, the forest industry is important to the country’s economy, contributing about 1–3% to the Gross Domestic Product and employing over 3000 people. The main sources of forestry revenue are timber and seed exports (Shumba, Nyoka, Nyoka, & Mabvurira, 1999). The plantations are owned and operated by two private companies and one state company that produce over 87% of the national sawn timber output. Given the socioeconomic importance of the forestry industry and the challenges caused by fires and the high susceptibility of plantation grown exotic species to fire, compared to indigenous species, a proper understanding of forest fires in Zimbabwe is warranted. The aim of this paper is to suggest specific ideas that must be pursued by government, timber companies and indigenous community leaders to manage wildfires. The ensuing debate will develop a theoretical agenda for forest fire management in timber plantations in Zimbabwe and other countries where exotic timber species are grown in plantations and are threatened by wildfires.
Zimbabwe has a total land area of 39,075,700 ha of which 201,704 ha are allocated to exotic forestry. Of the 201,704 ha, 95,754 ha is plantable. The forestry sector consists of exotic forest plantations and gazetted and protected forests. The forests are found across five silvicultural zones (Fig. 1; Barrett & Mullin, 1968). As of 2014, exotic forest plantations occupied about 85,027 ha. Exotic forests are dominated by Pines (≈58,477 ha), Eucalyptus (≈14,088 ha) and Wattle (≈11,450 ha) (Fig. 2). Pines and wattle occupy areas in zones I–II and Eucalyptus occupy zones I–IV. The industry is dominated by Pinus patula, P. taeda and E. grandis. Acacia mearnsii is the only Acacia species grown in Zimbabwe, for tannin and charcoal production. The industry mainly gets its revenue from export of timber products e.g. sawn timber, poles, veneer and plywood. It employed 3833 workers in 2014, with the majority (1856) of these directly employed in plantations while the remainder were working in sawmills, treatment plants, factories and administration.
⁎
Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (L. Jimu).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2018.04.006 Received 28 August 2017; Accepted 5 April 2018 2452-2929/ © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
3. Forest fire damage Forest fires are responsible for significant financial losses to commercial forest owners in Zimbabwe. The Timber Producers Federation (TPF) showed that the country loses hundreds to thousands of hectares of forest land area to fires every year. For example, in 2009 alone, the industry lost about 18,049 ha of timber plantations to forest fires. In this particular year, fire losses tripled the total area coppiced and replanted, which was 5954 ha. The total area lost to fires (3174) was close
World Development Perspectives 9 (2018) 56–58
L. Jimu, I.W. Nyakudya
Fig. 1. Silvicultural zones of Zimbabwe.
forest plantations. These include clearing land for cropping, honeybee smoking, charcoal and farm brick making, attract and flush out game during hunting, stimulate growth of fresh grass for livestock and arson. Some fires are started within the plantations particularly from illegal settlements and workers’ compounds. Of late, forest plantations in the eastern highlands have seen increasing numbers of illegal settlers, for example, statistics from the TPF’s 2014 report indicated that 7919 ha of timber plantations had been illegally occupied by 1535 settlers who cost the nation over US$1.5 million worth of timber through illegal harvests and fires. Some spontaneous fires emanate from cigarette smoking, electrical faults, gold panning, lightning strikes, locomotives along transportation corridors (highways, roads, trails) and camping sites. Once started, the spread of fires into plantations is worsened by the high fuel loads on the plantation floors. The cooler climate in the eastern highlands causes slow decomposition of leaves and woody material, particularly those of pines, leading to the accumulation of litter that has important consequences on forest fire hazard. Floors of forest stands especially those approaching maturity are usually covered by thick mats of organic matter. In mature pine stands, aboveground biomass is quite substantial, ranging from 18,000 to 25,000 g m−2 while in Eucalyptus stands it may reach 39,000 g m−2 at 27 years age (FAO, 2001). This biomass accumulates on forest floors, providing fuels that increase fire intensity in plantations. Intermediate operations such as weeding, pruning and thinning significantly contribute to litter accumulation. Forest plantations are invaded or surrounded by invader species such as Acacia mearnsii and Lantana camara that lead to litter accumulation, increasing wildfire damages and costs of fire protection.
Fig. 2. Species composition of Zimbabwean exotic forest plantations.
to the area that was coppiced and replanted (3843 ha) in 2013. The 2016 fire season was even worse, recording 252 fires and destroyed over 20,000 ha of forest plantations. Efforts to prevent and control fires are associated with further costs to property owners. These include labour and purchase of fire equipment. Depending on fire severity and age of the trees, losses linked to fires are reduced through salvage cuttings, in which mildly burnt timber is harvested and processed. Forest fires destroy property e.g. Border Timbers Limited lost a pole treatment plant to fire in 2011.
5. Forest fire legislation and policy
4. Causes of fires
The Zimbabwean government, through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism formulated the National Fire Protection Strategy and Implementation Plan in 2006. This was in direct response to the unprecedented fires in 2004 and 2005 that destroyed 12% of the national pine forest resource. The Strategy focuses on prevention because the
Most fires in Zimbabwean plantations originate from communal areas and neighbouring forest estates. Fires are used for various reasons in indigenous communities from which they escape into neighbouring 57
World Development Perspectives 9 (2018) 56–58
L. Jimu, I.W. Nyakudya
major causes of fire in the country are anthropogenic in nature. The Forest Act (CAP 19.05) and the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) provide legislation for control of fires and burning of vegetation.
and kraal heads, in addition to the Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Agency and the Republic’s police. These important stakeholders should assist in the prosecution of fire offenders and fire awareness campaigns. Whilst this is a good initiative, it should be implemented together with other strategies that yield mutual benefits.
6. Strategies to reduce fires in plantations There is no single solution to attempts to manage fires in timber plantations. There is need for concerted efforts from the Government, timber estate owners and community leaders to:
6.5. Promote shareholding and out-grower schemes Plantation forestry, similar to other large-scale investments like in tea, coffee and sugar plantations are general viewed by indigenous people as ‘foreign’, belonging to private entities and the government. This exposes them to risks particularly starting of fires attributed to arson, and illegal settlement. This attitude can be changed through incentives to the communities through broadening shareholding of timber production companies and promoting timber out-grower schemes, as recommended by the Presidential Land Review Committee on the Implementation of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme, popularly known as the Utete report of 2003. Promoting the establishment and management of timber out-growers has potential to establish buffers against fires that originate from neighbouring communities. Border Timbers Limited supported a 450 ha out-grower scheme that assisted 65 farmers to grow Eucalyptus for pole production, starting from 1996 (Desmond & Race, 2000). Similarly, Zimboard started four out-grower schemes in 1997–1999, involving 3 individual farmers and 42 farmers organised in two cooperatives. The total area cultivated under these schemes was 740 ha. The established timber companies assist out-growers by providing technical knowledge, access to timber processing facilities and marketing of products.
6.1. Enforce forest policy Zimbabwe has enacted a number of laws and established institutions to tackle forest fires, but these have overall been ineffective because fires continue to destroy plantations and properties. One major problem faced in Zimbabwe is failure by government to enforce the laws. It is imperative that the government enforce the Forestry Act and remove all illegal settlers and prosecute all fire offenders as this would deter these unlawful acts. In cases where the person who has caused a fire is caught, sometimes the penalties are not enough deterrents for future fire events. It is important for government to empower policing authorities such as the Republic’s police, the Environmental Management Agency and Forestry Commission by providing resources to facilitate efficient responses to incidences of fire. 6.2. Address illegal settlement It is important for government and plantation owners to address the fundamental causes of fires and factors contributing to these fires. For example, the problem of arson fires will not be resolved unless the issue of illegal settlers is addressed in Zimbabwean forest plantations. The issue of illegal settlers is deep rooted and dates back to over a century ago when land was acquired and demarcated for commercial plantation purposes despite a history of occupancy or use by local communities. This was seen as dispossession and the affected people in surrounding communities will continue to invade these lands at every opportune time. This is aggravated by the political situation that prevents forest companies from exercising their full rights under the law. Given the increasing pressure on land, it becomes very difficult for these companies and law enforcement authorities to enforce evictions and other policing activities such as fire openly.
6.6. Maintain fire prevention and suppression Forest owners should continue to invest in fire prevention, early detection, reporting systems, rapid access and direct suppression of fires. Factors that contribute to fires starting and spreading in plantations have to be managed. These include clearing slash after intermediate treatments like pruning and thinning. Excessive fuels on forest floors can be managed by prescribed burnings. Invasive species within and surrounding plantations ought to be managed to reduce fuel and potential sources of wildfires. Moribund forests that are a common site in some plantations can be sources of fires and therefore should be cleared and replaced with productive forest stands.
6.3. Augment fire education and awareness campaigns
Conflict of Interest
Due to the realisation that most fires that originate from surrounding communities are often associated with land preparation for cropping, it is imperative that these communities are involved in efforts to manage fires. Activities may include fire awareness campaigns, training and formation of local fire management committees in selected districts. Fire awareness campaigns can be done through roadside billboards, fire pamphlets and drama presentations. Awareness campaigns should be extended to primary and secondary schools in order to instil a culture of good fire management in indigenous people at early ages.
We, the authors, hereby declare that we do not have any conflict of interest in publishing this article in the World Development Perspectives journal. References Barrett, R. L., & Mullin, L. J. (1968). A review of introductions of forest trees in Rhodesia. The Rhodesia Bulletin of Forestry Research, 1, 63. Carle, J., Vuorinen, P., & Del Lungo, A. (2002). Status and trends in global forest plantation development. Forest Products Journal, 52, 1–13. Desmond, H., & Race, D. (2000). Global survey and analytical framework for forestry outgrower arrangements. Final Report submitted to the UN's Food and Agricultural OrganisationCanberra, Australia: Department of Forestry-Australian National University. FAO (2001). Global Forest Fire Assessment 1990–2000. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Forest Department Forest Resources Assessment Programme Working Paper 55, Rome. Shumba, E. M., Nyoka, I. B., Nyoka, I. B., & Mabvurira, D. (1999). Forestry research and its contribution to improving commercial forestry practices in Zimbabwe. The International Forestry Review, 1, 97–101. Winjum, J. K., & Schroeder, P. E. (1997). Forest plantations of the world: Their extent, ecological attributes, and carbon storage. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 84, 153–167.
6.4. Strengthen institutional linkages with indigenous communities In their efforts to engage indigenous communities in fighting fires, timber companies, through the Timber Producers Federation mooted the idea of District Fire Committees that include important stakeholders such as landowners, traditional leaders, local authorities, the Republic’s police and the Environmental Management Agency and Forestry Commission. These committees allow concerted effort in the development and implementation of fire management plans. This is particularly important as it includes various forms of policing that include chiefs
58