Efforts to restore, protect Magoye ecosystem in Southern Province underway —Minister Nzovu

Government has prioritised the restoration and protection of the Magoye Ecosystem in Southern Province which is under threat as a result of various socio-economic factors.

The restoration is with a view to recreate, initiate or accelerate its recovery from disturbance.

The Magoye River Catchment Restoration and Protection Plan, is the first of its kind to pursue declaration of a river catchment as a water resource protection area.

Green Economy and Environment Minister, Collins Nzovu, expressed concern that the Magoye Ecosystem was under threat as a result of various socio-economic factors.

Nzovu said it was for this reason that government had prioritised the restoration and protection of the Magoye Ecosystem with a view to recreate, initiate or accelerate its recovery from disturbance.

He said this during the launch of the Magoye Restoration and Protection Plan in Monze on Tuesday.

“Some of the measures to be undertaken include: revegetation – establishment of vegetation on sites where it has been previously lost; habitat enhancement – increasing stability of a site as habitat for some desired species and remediation – improving an existing ecosystem with the aim of replacing another that has been destroyed,” he said.

Nzovu said the environmental risks had resulted in disturbance in the normal functioning of the ecosystem thereby undermining its ability to provide critical ecosystem services and the related benefits.

He cited the recent floods that affected the people of Central and Southern Provinces, particularly those along the banks of Kafue Plains. 

Nzovu noted that if no measures were put in place to restore the Magoye River Catchment area, many people would suffer.

He said this was because the river supported a population of more than 200,000 people and over 400,000 livestock and contributes significant flows into the Kafue River. 

“Therefore, measures should be taken into consideration to preserve the river as it is the source of the water for the people of Pemba, Gwembe, Magoye and Mazabuka Districts,” he said.

He assured the traditional leaders and the people of Southern Province that the Ministry would enhance the planting of trees along the Magoye River to reduce further degradation of the River.

Meanwhile, Water Development and Sanitation Minister, Mike Mposha, said his Ministry would do everything possible to provide quality water to the people of Zambia through the identification of degraded rivers. 

And World Wide Fund (WWF) Country Director Nachilala Nkombo noted that climate change negatively impacts the ecosystem, economic activities and livelihoods.

Nkombo called on local communities to support this plan as it would bring back valuable environmental, social and economic values.

“WWF will continue to support desilting efforts of Magoye and transformation of agriculture to sustainable practices,” she said.