…says no to charcoal burning, illegal mining.
The Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon Collins Nzovu, MP, on Sunday visited Mkushi District of Central Province to appreciate conservation agriculture, afforestation and challenges of deforestation and charcoal burning.
Central Province Permanent Secretary Mr. Milner Mwanakapampwe, Mkushi District Commissioner Mr. Jonathan Kapungwe and other Government officials accompanied the Minister on this field tour.
Mr. Nzovu visited the North Swaka Forest Reserve operated by the owners of North Swaka Trust that are largely involved in regenerative/Conservative agriculture as a sustainable agriculture technique.
The Minister was impressed with the culture of forest preservation that the Mkushi District Forestry Department in conjunction with commercial farmers of North Swaka Trust are implementing.
The Minister later undertook an aerial tour of the North Swaka Forest Reserve to appreciate the levels of deforestation and destruction to the forests caused by illegal cutting of trees for charcoal burning and mining in the area.
Mr. Nzovu was shown how the commercial farmers are using afforestation measures to re-plant trees in the forest Reserve to mitigate the challenges of deforestation and subsequently the effects of climate change.
Hon Nzovu implored the owners of North Swaka Trust to teach the Zambian farmers the sustainable methods of farming so that forests in that part of the country can be conserved.
He was however disappointed that some parts of the North Swaka Forest Reserve are being encroached upon by charcoal burners and miners.
He said this poses a danger to the forest reserve and the dedicated fight against climate change.
He noted that such behaviour was contrary to the New Dawn government that is committed to protection of the forestry, environment and co-existence of the people and their environment.
Hon Nzovu assured the both district and provincial administrations that they have the full support of the central government to use their authority to address the problem because the government will not tolerate lawlessness like charcoal burning and illegal mining in forest reserves.
The owners of North Swaka Trust on the other hand have expressed willingness to work with local farmers to share their expertise on conservative/Regenerative agricultural practices because they believe in environmental sustainability too.
One of the farm owners, Andre Van Eeden told the Minister that the farmers are happy to work with the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to promote conservation of forests on a larger scale.
