By 
Government has warned that it would clamp down on anybody involved in charcoal burning activities in Central Province and Ngabwe District in particular.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu, said charcoal burning was a worrying trend being noticed in Ngabwe District.
Nzovu said this in Ngabwe on Wednesday during his tour of Central Province to inspect and monitor forestry reserves and illegal mining activities.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, he said the government would do everything possible to ensure that the various ecosystems in Central Province are restored.
“We can not destroy the very sensitive ecosystem in this area. Remember, this area is where the Lukanga Swamp is, most of the sources of water for generation in the itezhi tezhi Reservoir, in the Kafue Upper Reservoir, in the Kafue Lower Reservior,” Nzovu said
He said Ngabwe District was endowerd with rich natural resources in particular, rich forestry resources, but because of its remoteness, it was a difficult place to reach.
Nzovu said the Kafue River supplies water to over 50 percent of the population of Lusaka and also hosts power generation facilities, namely Itezhi tezhi, Kafue GorgeKafue Gorge Lower Water.
“The road network is not very, very good. It has remained underdeveloped, but it has also maintained its richness in natural resources. It’s a remote area and this is where a lot of trees are still standing, so the rate of deforestation in this area is very, very high as a result of the huge market in Kabwe and Lusaka,” he said.
Nzovu assured Zambians and the people of Ngabwe that the government was going to clamp down on anybody involved in these illegal activities.
Read More: US agency says 689kg of charcoal consumed per household in Lusaka hurting the climate
“It also threatens our water security because most commercial farming in the country is done on this river system. The tourism potential will be destroyed, so we’ll do everything possible to ensure that we maintain this system,” the Minister said.
He said individuals who traded in charcoal should get permits from the Forestry Department to ensure the cutting of trees was done sustainably.
“There are some areas we can never issue permits, but we will issue permits in certain areas where there are enough trees. We are encouraging those involved in charcoal burning … that they need to come up with their own plantations. As you cut, you need to see that you are replanting,” Nzovu said.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR!
Comments