Govt Cautions Forestry Officers Against Abetting Illegal Charcoal Production
Minister of Green Economy and Environment has warned that Government will not shield any district forestry officers who are abetting illegal charcoal production.
Speaking during the official launch of the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP) in Chipata, Mike Mposha said Government will not negotiate with district forestry officers who will be found wanting.
Mr. Mposha stated that traditional leaders and other stakeholders have approached his office to complain about forestry officers who are allowing illegal cutting down of timber.
“If we find you as a district forestry officer that you are the one abetting this illegal production of charcoal, you are gone, that I will not compromise because our traditional leaders have been approaching us and asking about the trucks which are just having a smooth passage without being checked,” Mr. Mposha warned.
He said Government has not banned charcoal production but is promoting legal and licensed activities in the forestry sector.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mposha explained that Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme is a successor to the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project (ZIFLP) that was successfully concluded on 29th February 2024.
“Under this programme, the Generated and Verified Emission Reductions will be traded as certified Carbon Credits to the Biocarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscape (BIOCF ISFL) and other international carbon buyers to generate monetary benefits that will be transparently distributed to the local communities to motivate them to better manage their natural resources at a jurisdictional level,” he explained.
He further said the launch of the programme demonstrates government’s commitment to transform eastern province into a comprehensive low carbon rural development model that combines forest protection and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
“Eastern Province is a region that is endowed with vast forests, agricultural and wildlife offering vast potential for the development of sustainable, natural resource-based livelihoods. However, the forests are facing numerous challenges, including illegal encroachment into protected areas, habitat fragmentation, and the effects of deforestation and uncontrolled charcoal production. together, these factors contribute to biodiversity loss and increased ghg emissions.”
“To address the underlying causes of forest loss and degradation, and promote sustainable land management practices in Eastern Province, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment implemented the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project and now the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme,” he said.
The Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP), is a government initiative supported by the World Bank at a total cost of US$63.9 million, out of which $50 million is for purchasing verified emission reductions and $13.9 million for supporting underlying investments under sustainable forest management, climate smart agriculture and wildlife management in eastern province.
