THE decision by Mazabuka Municipal Council to add tree planting to the list of works to be done under the Cash for Work (CfW) programme is highly commendable and can only be described as forward-looking.
In deciding to incorporate tree planting in the CfW activities, the council has demonstrated that they are not just looking at the present needs of the district, but are also looking to the future.
Home to Zambia Sugar Plc, one of Africa’s biggest sugar companies boasting several plantations, it goes without saying that a large part of the district has been taken up by agriculture, leaving very little land under natural forests. It follows, therefore, that the district’s tree population is lower than it should be.
Taking advantage, therefore, of the CfW programme to increase the district’s tree cover by 40,000 is very welcome.
This initiative is a win-win for the community. While providing the much-needed income for participants, it will also contribute to the beautification and environmental health of Mazabuka. Trees play a vital role in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting local ecosystems.
This is a measure that should not go without any notice. The council’s decision to integrate tree planting into their CfW programmes sets a positive example for other local authorities to follow.
Agricultural activities, while vital to the economy, have taken a devastating toll on the country’s forests. Widespread deforestation has not only contributed to climate change but also compromised the livelihoods of communities that depend on these forests for their survival. In addition to agriculture, charcoal production has dealt a devastation blow to the country’s natural forests.
The need to take decisive action against deforestation and restore the country’s natural forests is crucial.
Expanding the tree-planting exercise to other local authorities across the country, especially in areas that have suffered severe deforestation, would be a significant step towards achieving this goal. Not only would it help to sequester carbon dioxide and reduce the country’s carbon footprint, but it would also provide numerous benefits, including improved air and water quality, among others.
We urge the local authorities, in collaboration with local stakeholders and environmental organisations, to embark on tree-planting initiatives. We also urge them to encourage community involvement.
The fight against climate change requires collective action and a commitment to sustainability. By scaling up the treeplanting exercise, we can take a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The decision to use Cash for Work as an anchor programme for Mazabuka Municipal Council is a good one.
Engaging local people in tree-planting programmes fosters a sense of ownership and instils in them the value of environmental conservation. By involving community members, they are more likely to appreciate the importance of trees and adopt sustainable practices.
To enhance the sustainability of these initiatives, we encourage local authorities to prioritise planting trees with multiple benefits, such as fruit trees. This can ensure the long-term survival of these trees, as community members will be reluctant to cut them down.
We encourage Mazabuka Municipal Council, along with other local authorities, to continue exploring innovative solutions that balance economic development with environmental stewardship. Such initiatives have a lasting, positive impact on the community.
Mazabuka Council’s green initiative laudable
THE decision by Mazabuka Municipal Council to add tree planting to the list of works to be done under the Cash for Work (CfW) programme is highly commendable and can only be described as forward-looking.
In deciding to incorporate tree planting in the CfW activities, the council has demonstrated that they are not just looking at the present needs of the district, but are also looking to the future.
Home to Zambia Sugar Plc, one of Africa’s biggest sugar companies boasting several plantations, it goes without saying that a large part of the district has been taken up by agriculture, leaving very little land under natural forests. It follows, therefore, that the district’s tree population is lower than it should be.
Taking advantage, therefore, of the CfW programme to increase the district’s tree cover by 40,000 is very welcome.
This initiative is a win-win for the community. While providing the much-needed income for participants, it will also contribute to the beautification and environmental health of Mazabuka. Trees play a vital role in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting local ecosystems.
This is a measure that should not go without any notice. The council’s decision to integrate tree planting into their CfW programmes sets a positive example for other local authorities to follow.
Agricultural activities, while vital to the economy, have taken a devastating toll on the country’s forests. Widespread deforestation has not only contributed to climate change but also compromised the livelihoods of communities that depend on these forests for their survival. In addition to agriculture, charcoal production has dealt a devastation blow to the country’s natural forests.
The need to take decisive action against deforestation and restore the country’s natural forests is crucial.
Expanding the tree-planting exercise to other local authorities across the country, especially in areas that have suffered severe deforestation, would be a significant step towards achieving this goal. Not only would it help to sequester carbon dioxide and reduce the country’s carbon footprint, but it would also provide numerous benefits, including improved air and water quality, among others.
We urge the local authorities, in collaboration with local stakeholders and environmental organisations, to embark on tree-planting initiatives. We also urge them to encourage community involvement.
The fight against climate change requires collective action and a commitment to sustainability. By scaling up the treeplanting exercise, we can take a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The decision to use Cash for Work as an anchor programme for Mazabuka Municipal Council is a good one.
Engaging local people in tree-planting programmes fosters a sense of ownership and instils in them the value of environmental conservation. By involving community members, they are more likely to appreciate the importance of trees and adopt sustainable practices.
To enhance the sustainability of these initiatives, we encourage local authorities to prioritise planting trees with multiple benefits, such as fruit trees. This can ensure the long-term survival of these trees, as community members will be reluctant to cut them down.
We encourage Mazabuka Municipal Council, along with other local authorities, to continue exploring innovative solutions that balance economic development with environmental stewardship. Such initiatives have a lasting, positive impact on the community.