SOUTHERN Province Permanent Secretary Namani Monze says the escalating effects of climate change on wetland ecosystems such as Agriculture, Water, Tourism and Energy have made their restoration and protection a pressing concern to government.

Dr Monze was speaking in Choma yesterday in a speech read on his behalf by Southern Province Assistant Secretary, Edson Nachimwenda, during the Self Help Africa Sustainable Landscape Management workshop.

He indicated that the preserve Kafue ll Project that Self Help Africa has been implementing in Mazabuka, Monze and Namwala Districts of Southern Province aims to reduce poverty and enhance food security in wetlands.

Dr Monze noted that the Kafue flats are under increasing pressure due to poor and fragmented management and unsustainable livelihood practices.

He said strengthening the organisational capacity of local government structures will ensure that approaches and policies are rolled out at the community, ward and district level.

The Permanent Secretary added that this will provide a forum for natural resources management structures to address issues navigating the wetlands that have arisen.

Self Help Africa Agriculture Advisors, EricK Kooma, indicated that the organisation is supporting different government initiative programmes through the Kafue ll Project in Mazabuka, Namwala and Monze Districts.