A leading Livingstone based environmentalist has condemned occurrences of illegal fires in the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park and Dambwa Forest reserve.

Mr Benjamin Mibenge is saddened that some unknown people continue to cause more damage to the renowned wildlife sanctuary by setting uncontrolled fires.

Mr. Mibenge says the act is detrimental to the habitat of the national park, hence his call on the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to empower the Forestry Department with advanced means of protecting the forests against acts that are dangerous to the ecosystem.

The Mosi-o-Tunya National Park is the globally acclaimed home of the Victoria Falls, but continued growth in human population has led to persistent encroachment in the national park.

By Gabriel Josias Muuba