Northern region administration pushes for forest management actions

Community interventions on forest management are critical for Zambia in making the COP 27 on climate change a reality.

Lewis Mwape, Northern Province deputy secretary, said there was need to protect Zambia’s ecosystem and the environment, stating that this can only be done when the communities actively participates.

“The future of our economy lies in our human effort not just for climate change adaptation but in ensuring that important steps are taken to protect our environment,” Mwape said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday.

He said it was gratifying to note that the community had created a  community ecosystem based in Chitimbwa Chiefdom in Mpulungu District of Northern region.

“Yesterday, we took time to inspect a community ecosystem based in Chitimbwa Chiefdom in Mpulungu District. This is an effort for the provincial administration to encourage and  support local people in promoting environmental sustainability in Chitimbwa Chiefdom,”  Mwape  said.

He said  local communities have taken responsibility to take big steps towards environment protection by promoting community forestry.

Mwape  said community members have created forestry along the river as a measure to protect it from drying up and also supporting the existence of aquatic life.

“As provincial administration we took time to appreciate the big contribution of the local people. We thanked the local citizens for the good work and encouraged them to continue with the good work,” he said.

Mwape commended Chief Chitimbwa for working with the communities and establishing four community forestry areas in the Chiefdom.

Furthermore, he said the provincial administration has  called  on the  members of the public and government projects to support individuals and groups of “our citizens who have developed nurseries of various plants across the province.