The Forest Department in Northern Province has urged the public to explore other sources of energy other than charcoal. 

Northern Province Principal Forestry Officer Sharon Kaunda said the public should use alternative energy sources like gas and solar to reduce dependence on charcoal.

Ms Kaunda said this in an interview with ZANIS. 

She said energy sources, especially gas, will help to reduce people’s dependence on charcoal which is causing the exploitation of trees.

Ms Kaunda explained that government has banned the production of charcoal in some areas like Mumbwa and Itezhi tezhi in Central Province.

The Principal Forestry Officer however explained that production of charcoal is still permitted in some areas but people have to acquire the right papers.

She said government is working with different stakeholders like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Transformation Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) to sensitize the public on such issues.

” USAID is more into this programme even though the programs are not in Kasama and TRALARD is also involved at a small scale where they have their projects in conducting sensitization,” she said.

People have expressed worry that the increased load shedding might result in increased exploitation of trees for charcoal to meet demand for energy sources.