Mali: Thousands of hectares of fodder ravaged by bushfires

Mopti, March 20 (AMAP) The Mopti region is an excellent livestock area that accounts for over a third of the national livestock population. The management of this important livestock potential is based on transhumance, which has been severely tested in recent years by the effects of climate change, resulting in a drastic reduction in pastures and difficult access due to insecurity. In addition to these limiting factors, the populations also face recurring difficulties related to bush fires that cause a lot of devastation, the AMAP learned from an official source.

Indeed, the rice plains of the Mopti rice production area, which are a main source of feed for livestock during the lean season, have experienced cases of bush fires in the last decade of February, ravaging thousands of hectares of forage, with sporadic cases recorded. These bush fires are a real disaster for the communities in the mainly agro-pastoral area.

According to the chief of the Mopti water and forest ranger station, Captain Abdoul Malick Ayouba Maiga, bush fires are uncontrolled fires in rural areas regardless of their cause or origin. Human behavior is the main cause of this tragedy, which degrades the land by exacerbating erosion and loss of fertility in agricultural soils.

According to the technician, the combustion of biomass releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. In addition to its impacts on human health, bush fires pose a real threat to livestock and the survival of pastoralists.

According to the chief of the ranger station, bush fires can have several causes, including fires to clear the surroundings of dwellings, hunters flushing out game, farmers cleaning their fields, shepherds (goatherds) accelerating regeneration, and cigarette butts.

Facing these challenges, various strategies are being implemented to prevent and combat bush and forest fires, including sensitizing and educating the populations, regulatory measures, particularly Law No. 10-28 of July 12, 2010, determining the principles of management of the national forest domain. This law sets out sanctions in Article 121. Sanctions range from 5000 F to 10,000 F for damage less than one hectare and from 10,000 F to 20,000 F per hectare for areas exceeding 1 ha. In cases of intentionally set fires, the provisions of the penal code apply, explained Mr. Maiga. Despite these measures, the situation is escalating and remains concerning with new cases in other areas.