WHEN he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha warned of severe consequences against people who encroach on forest reserves and water bodies.
The minister told Mr Kasongo that officers from his ministry are in the province to gather information regarding illegal land allocation in reserved areas, which is now prominent on the Copperbelt.
Indeed, the problem of people encroaching on forest reserves and water bodies in Zambia is not only common on the Copperbelt, it has become a widespread issue which must be nipped in the bud with the urgency it deserves.
Reserved areas must be protected at all costs because forests and water bodies have immense benefits both economically and socially.
Forests and water bodies support over one million jobs in Zambia, particularly in rural areas. Activities such as fishing, beekeeping, and harvesting non-timber forest products are vital for local economies.
Zambia’s natural landscapes attract tourists, contributing significantly to the economy.
Eco-tourism and recreational activities around forest reserves and water bodies generate revenue and create jobs.
Water bodies provide irrigation for agriculture, which is a cornerstone of Zambia’s economy. Fisheries also offer a source of income and food security for many communities.
Forests supply timber and other raw materials for various industries. Additionally, they are a source of energy, particularly through production of charcoal.
In terms of social benefits, many communities in Zambia have deep cultural and spiritual connections to forests and water bodies. These areas are often integral to traditional practices and ceremonies.
Access to clean water from rivers and lakes is essential for public health. Forests also contribute to clean air and a healthy environment, which are crucial for overall well-being.
Forests and water bodies serve as natural laboratories for education and research. They provide opportunities for learning about biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable practices.
Shared management and use of natural resources can strengthen community bonds and promote cooperative efforts towards sustainable development.
Protecting these natural resources is essential for maintaining these benefits and ensuring sustainable development in Zambia.
Also, forest reserves are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Protecting these areas helps preserve the rich biodiversity, ensuring that ecosystems remain balanced and resilient.
Forests play a significant role in absorbing carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change.
By protecting forest reserves, Zambia can contribute to global efforts to stabilise the climate.
Therefore, allocating land in forest reserves can have several significant effects.
Allocating land for agriculture, settlement, or industrial use often leads to deforestation. This reduces forest cover, which is crucial for biodiversity, climate regulation, and water cycle maintenance.
Further, allocating land in forest reserves can displace indigenous and local communities, who depend on these forests for their livelihoods and cultural practices.
Land allocation can lead to conflicts between different stakeholders, including local communities, government authorities, and private entities.
That is why we encourage officers in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to continue gathering information regarding illegal construction of structures in reserved areas and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
Punishing individuals who build structures in forest reserves and near water bodies is important for several reasons.
Enforcing penalties for illegal activities reinforces the rule of law and results in natural resources being managed sustainably. This includes adherence to the Forest Act of 2015.
Penalising those who build illegally in forest reserves and near water bodies is a critical step in ensuring protection and sustainable management of Zambia’s natural resources.
Cage forest reserves encroachers
WHEN he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha warned of severe consequences against people who encroach on forest reserves and water bodies.
The minister told Mr Kasongo that officers from his ministry are in the province to gather information regarding illegal land allocation in reserved areas, which is now prominent on the Copperbelt.
Indeed, the problem of people encroaching on forest reserves and water bodies in Zambia is not only common on the Copperbelt, it has become a widespread issue which must be nipped in the bud with the urgency it deserves.
Reserved areas must be protected at all costs because forests and water bodies have immense benefits both economically and socially.
Forests and water bodies support over one million jobs in Zambia, particularly in rural areas. Activities such as fishing, beekeeping, and harvesting non-timber forest products are vital for local economies.
Zambia’s natural landscapes attract tourists, contributing significantly to the economy.
Eco-tourism and recreational activities around forest reserves and water bodies generate revenue and create jobs.
Water bodies provide irrigation for agriculture, which is a cornerstone of Zambia’s economy. Fisheries also offer a source of income and food security for many communities.
Forests supply timber and other raw materials for various industries. Additionally, they are a source of energy, particularly through production of charcoal.
In terms of social benefits, many communities in Zambia have deep cultural and spiritual connections to forests and water bodies. These areas are often integral to traditional practices and ceremonies.
Access to clean water from rivers and lakes is essential for public health. Forests also contribute to clean air and a healthy environment, which are crucial for overall well-being.
Forests and water bodies serve as natural laboratories for education and research. They provide opportunities for learning about biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable practices.
Shared management and use of natural resources can strengthen community bonds and promote cooperative efforts towards sustainable development.
Protecting these natural resources is essential for maintaining these benefits and ensuring sustainable development in Zambia.
Also, forest reserves are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Protecting these areas helps preserve the rich biodiversity, ensuring that ecosystems remain balanced and resilient.
Forests play a significant role in absorbing carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change.
By protecting forest reserves, Zambia can contribute to global efforts to stabilise the climate.
Therefore, allocating land in forest reserves can have several significant effects.
Allocating land for agriculture, settlement, or industrial use often leads to deforestation. This reduces forest cover, which is crucial for biodiversity, climate regulation, and water cycle maintenance.
Further, allocating land in forest reserves can displace indigenous and local communities, who depend on these forests for their livelihoods and cultural practices.
Land allocation can lead to conflicts between different stakeholders, including local communities, government authorities, and private entities.
That is why we encourage officers in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to continue gathering information regarding illegal construction of structures in reserved areas and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
Punishing individuals who build structures in forest reserves and near water bodies is important for several reasons.
Enforcing penalties for illegal activities reinforces the rule of law and results in natural resources being managed sustainably. This includes adherence to the Forest Act of 2015.
Penalising those who build illegally in forest reserves and near water bodies is a critical step in ensuring protection and sustainable management of Zambia’s natural resources.