.
Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Jean Kapata says government is concerned with the rate of deforestation mainly due to charcoal burning.
And a pilot bamboo project will be set up in chief Nyawa’s area in kazungula district in Southern province before the end of this year, 2018.
Speaking when she held a press briefing at her office in Lusaka today, the minister disclosed that deforestation is largely caused by unsustainable charcoal production methods used countrywide.
Ms. Kapata further stated that there is need to promote sustainable charcoal production to curb deforestation in the country.
However, she disclosed that her ministry is looking for alternatives of fast growing plant species that will provide local communities with high quality charcoal without causing deforestation.
The minister however advised all Zambians to develop a culture of planting trees and end deforestation in the country.
Meanwhile, a pilot bamboo project will be set up in chief Nyawa’s area in kazungula district in Southern province before the end of this year, 2018.
The minister who revealed the development during the briefing explained that if successful, the bamboos will be used for charcoal production and other medical purposes.
She said this initiative will reduce the cutting down of trees because bamboos will be the only species to be used for charcoal production.
This is one very dull woman who does not justify her salary…why do people in other parts of Africa not cut down trees? Its skincringeing reading the article above
Nuclear power to villagers.
Mukula for us….
Jean Kapata forgot to talk about cutting Mukula tree as yet another contributing factor tp droughts.She should stop cutting mukula.
What about the Mukula trees that you have been cutting?
The biggest cause madame is your greed for money by selling the mukula trees to the Chinese.
“….The minister however advised all Zambians to develop a culture of planting trees and end deforestation in the country….”
That is the problem we have as a country….ministers and GRZ paying lip service without taking an active lead….then we have PF rats on LT saying you expect everything from GRZ …..yes we do….there is need to establish nursaries for indginous species with incentives given to communities to plant and grow those trees.
Many donar countries would part fund such an incentive but there are no bribes for PF do you will not see them doing any such work
I know of countries in Africa where government manages forests such that if you cut one tree, you’re given 10 seedlings to plant. Our Minister is preaching about what ought to be done instead of telling us what her ministry has done to ensure Zambians plant trees. Really sad.
The largest contributors to deforestation are large scale farming, construction and mining not charcoal burning. If charcoal burners were allowed to cut and export mukula it can improve their livelihood but alas only white collar dealers have access. How can we fight rural poverty like this, not all of us can sell mines!
In my opinion Jean kapata is performing better then she was at wildlife ministry.
But you need to be more active Mrs minister….create incentives for people to plant indeginous trees in all communities and all schools with prizes and gifts for the most trees planted , even donner countries would part fund these exercises…..
If I was minister I would make sure every house hold plants atleast one mango tree at their house. In 5 years Zambia would be a major mango exporter.
charcoal burners to play a big role in deforestation but GIVING ALL OUR FORESTS AWAY TO CHINESE TO LOG AS THEY PLEASE IS CAUSING MORE DEFORESTATION THAN CHARCOAL BURNERS.
YOU HAVE SOLD OUR COUNTRY TO THE CHINESE AND NOW YOU ARE CRYING. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I
Deforestation is being caused by her greediness. Money is more important to her than saving our forests. She then goes on to makeup things in order to protect her interests. What these ministers are doing in Zambia through the abuse of their titles is wrong. No one is interested in national development at all. Development of their pockets yes! We need to start holding all of them accountable. Gone are the days when we sat silence watching the rot take over the nation. We need to roar loud so they can hear us. There is no reason why a few individuals in Zambia should be the only one’s to feed their family and relatives including friends. Its time to make the government accountable.