2)–Mice hunt ignites forest fire

A fire has swept through 140 hectares of a forest on the outskirts of Kasama district.

Northern Province Principal Forestry Officer Catherine Nguvulu confirmed this in an interview with ZANIS in Kasama today.

Ms Nguvulu said the plantation caught fire after a group of young boys ignited the forest while digging for field mice.

She said the fire scorched compartments of young trees that were mostly planted four years ago.

The Officer said the development was unfortunate and a big loss to the department which had invested a lot of resources in protecting the plantation.

She warned members of the public to stop digging mice from plantations saying those found wanting will be dealt.

Ms Nguvulu further warned people tempering with forestry plantation in the province that will equally be dealt with .

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguvulu bemoaned the lack of firefighting equipment in the forestry department.