In an attempt to stem severe deforestation, Kenya wants to enact bylaws to compel land owners with more than 1 acre to plant at least 100 indigenous tree seedlings. Other measures being considered in the renewed push to address forest destruction, included the use of prisoners to plant trees. “Those…
More forest rangers will soon be deployed to curb the destruction of forests, said Zambian Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata. Kapata said deploying the guards will also strengthen the fight against the illegal trade in Mukula trees. “We are looking at recruiting at least 450 new forest…
Zambia’s efforts to curb deforestation are being hampered by poor access to seedlings, says a survey by Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAF). PSAF Executive Director Lillian Kiefer said communities affected by deforestation don’t have access to seedlings of indigenous and exotic species to enable them to fight rapid deforestation. “Following…
The failure to curb charcoal burning is behind Zambia’s rapid deforestation, says a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) consultant. Makweti Sishekanu says Zambia has effective legislation but dismally fails to mobilise communities against charcoal burning, the main cause of deforestation. “We can no longer cite legal hindrance as…
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is piloting a programme to integrate forestry into farming in a bid to halt deteriorating soil fertility arising from rapid deforestation in Zambia. The programme, targeting more than 24 000 farmers in Southern and North Western provinces, is being implemented in conjunction with a…
Environmental stakeholders are warning that the massive power tariff hike by Zambia’s power utility company will aggravate deforestation. ZESCO’s power tariff increase of 50% came into effect yesterday. The remaining 25% will kick in on September 1. “Trees will come down at a faster rate as more people are forced…
The national environmental body, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) will wage a robust war against illegal charcoal burners as it tightens controls to curb alarming deforestation. But the move is likely to face opposition as charcoal is a major source of energy and income for many Zambians. ZEMA’s Ireen Chipili…
Zambian minister of lands Jean Kapata on Tuesday announced an export ban on all timber species, including the sought-after Mukula tree. The minister said the move was necessitated by the need to curb rapid deforestation arising from illegal timber harvesting. Between 2000 and 2014 Zambia lost an average of 276…