Government says tree planting is not just an environmental action but a multi-faceted solution to the greatest challenges of climate change.
North-western Province Minister Robert Lihefu says tree planting exercise reduces the impact of floods, stabilise soils and improve water retention.
Mr Lihefu adds that tree planting Provides sustainable income through timber and non-timber products such as honey, wild fruits, mushroom, caterpillar and many others.
The minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Permanent Secretary Luckson Mulumbi during the launch of the 2024/2025 tree planting held at Kapijimpanga Royal grounds in Solwezi District, yesterday.
“Trees provide several ecosystem services such as protection of our water bodies, prevention of soil erosion, sinking carbon thereby mitigating climate change and reduction in air pollution,” he said.
Mr Lihefu said trees also play a significant role in the rainy cycle, therefore, having a strong linkage to food security as the majority of farmers practice rain fed agriculture.
He has since called upon companies especially those in the mining and agriculture to invest in large-scale afforestation programs as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Speaking at the same function Provincial Forestry Principal Officer Martin Musaba said the forestry department is committed to protecting trees against deforestation and overall environmental degradation primarily driven by the clearing of land for unsustainable agriculture, and illegal timber harvesting.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by forestry Officer Serah Simbao.
Mr Musaba attributed the deforestation to high levels of unemployment that has made the affected persons fall into harvesting of forest products in order to survive and generate income for their basic needs.
“unemployment presents a major threat to forests, biodiversity, hydrogeology, tourism, and human livelihoods,” he said.
The cause and effects relationship of deforestation and climate change has also emerged as an additional concern in the past years.
And Kansanshi mine Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Manager Arnold Malambo said the mining firm this year has planned to plant not less than ten thousand (10,0000) trees within the mines lease area for the 2024/2025 planting season.
Mr Malambo said this in a speech read on his behalf by Jackson Katampi who is Kansanshi mine’s Agriculture and Wildlife Support Coordinator.
“To demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability, our management (led by the general manager) launched an in-house tree planting exercise with a target of planting not less than 10,0000 trees within the mine’s lease area for the 2024/2025 planting season” he said.
He said last year the Kansanshi mine planted twenty-six thousand (26,000) trees on site.
Mr. Malambo said the initiative is part of a broader commitment to environmental stewardship that extends beyond the life of the mine.
“Beyond tree planting, we are actively involved in projects to restore and enhance ecosystems, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster a future where mining and nature can coexist in harmony” he said.
He said Kansanshi mine is working diligently to rehabilitate mine-out areas, and ensure that the land is not only restored but enhanced for the benefit of local communities and wildlife.
Mr Malambo added that the mine is dedicated to mitigating the long-term effects of mining activities, ensuring that the impact is positive and enduring.
The 2024/2025 tree planting launch has been held under the theme: “Planting for Resilience: Using Trees to Combat Climate Change, Build Food Security and Increase Household Incomes”.
Meanwhile, Mr, Lihefu has also urged all schools to establish tree nurseries as part of their production units so that they can have a ready supply of tree seedlings for planting in schools with forestry department offering technical support.
Forest Act Number 4 of 2015 together with its subsidiary legislation statutory No. 11 of 2018 (Community Forest Management Regulations) empowers communities to form community forest management group (CFMG) for the purpose of managing and obtaining benefits from the forest resources through devolved rights and responsibilities to the communities whilst enhancing environmental protection.
North-western Province has made tremendous strides in community forest management groups with over 2.8 million hectares of land brought under community forest management with support from various cooperating partners.
