THE Forestry Department in Mwense District will during the 2024 -2025 planting season, plant five hectares of trees to create a forest reserve in an effort aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change. 

ZANIS reports that Mwense District Forestry Officer, James Chanda, says the department, with financial support from government, is also working with community members to prepare the five hectares of land earmarked for a forestry reserve.

Mr Chanda has since called on all citizens and stakeholders to take interest in tree planting, stressing that trees help in absorbing carbon emissions as well as regulate high temperatures.

He cited fruit trees such as Mangoes, Avocados and citrus plants as some of the best trees that residents should consider planting as they are resilient to different weather patterns.

“As the forestry department, we would like the community to plant fruit trees such as Mangoes, Avocados, and citrus fruits. Such plants are able to succumb to different weather patterns,” Mr Chanda said.

He added that Mwense has a good rain pattern and some streams which can also be utilised to plant more trees.

Meanwhile, Mr Chanda revealed that his office has intensified community sensitisation against indiscriminate cutting down of trees in the district.

“Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns such as droughts. 

“Zambia has not been spared as it has been grappling with effects of climate change which has resulted in drought in about 84 of the 116 districts countrywide,” Mr Chanda said.