CHIEFTAINESS Mwasemphangwe of the Chewa people in Lumezi District has called on the government to enact laws that effectively regulate tobacco production to curb indiscriminate cutting down of trees.

The Chieftainess emphasised that the uncontrolled deforestation caused by tobacco curing has devastated forest plantations in her chiefdom, leading to increased carbon emissions and climate change impacts.

She proposed the adoption of modern technology, such as electric kilns, for curing tobacco instead of traditional methods that rely on firewood.

ZANIS reports that she was speaking during a meeting in Lundazi organised by the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape.

“If there is no legal restriction, my chiefdom risks failing to meet its carbon emission reduction targets, thereby excluding my subjects from benefiting from the much-talked-about carbon trading rewards introduced by the government through the World Bank-supported Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape,” Chieftainess Mwasemphangwe stated.

The traditional leader stressed the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in achieving sustainable forest preservation, noting her chiefdom’s strong commitment to combating deforestation and reducing carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, Senior Chief Mwase expressed gratitude for the implementation of the carbon trading initiative, praising the government and its partners for their efforts. 

He reiterated his and other leaders’ dedication to working with stakeholders to ensure the success of the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Project (EP-LSLP) and protect natural resources.

The Senior Chief also expressed optimism about the government’s carbon trading programme, highlighting its potential benefits for chiefdoms in the Eastern Province.