The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia has launched a tree planting awareness campaign programme in Mulangu ward of Shangombo District in Western Province.
The tree planting programme under the Scottish funded Climate Just Community project is being implemented by the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia in collaboration with Niras International.
Speaking during the launch, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia ( EFZ ) Board Chairperson, Bishop Paul Mususu says this is the beginning of a deliberate formative initiative meant to enhance community livelihood by ensuring a sustainable environment for natural resources.
“This launch is the beginning of a deliberate formative initiative meant to enhance community livelihood by ensuring a sustainable environment for natural resources,” Bishop Mususu said.
He added that the desire was to secure the environment by planting at least 11 thousand fruit bearing trees and contributing to improved nutrition and food security.
“What we are doing today, our desire is to plant at least 11 thousand trees, we are deliberate in our quest and we want to plant trees that are fruit bearing which will contribute to improved nutrition and food security,” Bishop Mususu said.
Meanwhile, Shangombo District Commissioner, Mubita Siyamana said government would continue to strengthen partnerships with organisations like EFZ to ensure successful implementation.
Mr Siyamana added that the country was currently experiencing the impacts of climate change to which the President has put in place measures to mitigate the situation.
“The President has urged everyone to endure and be innovative amidst the drought to which he has put in place a number of measures to address the effects of climate change like importing solar and farming equipment at lower prices and cash for work,” he said.
Shangombo District Forestry Officer, Joseph Phiri has emphasised on the need to plant trees because they are a source of oxygen among other things.
“We derive oxygen, food stuff, construction materials and boost nutrient content by fixing nitrogen back in the soil, etc,” Mr Phiri said.
