Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Caritas Zambia has warned of increased deforestation in Zambia if government does not address the issue of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2015 undermining the Forest Act of 1973.
Caritas Social Accountability Programme Specialist Edmond Kangamungazi says they are concerned that in its current form, the Mines and Minerals Act allows mine operations in forests provided that there is mineral content and a license has been issued by the appropriate authority.
He given this situation, his organization thinks that government should ensure it harmonizes the Mines and Minerals Act with the Forest Act so that neither does not supersede the other.
Mr. Kangamungazi has encouraged government to do so by ensuring that it revises the Forest Act of 1973 by replacing it with another legislation that should address the exiting concerns on the management of the forests in Zambia.
He has told Qfm News in an interview that Caritas is also encouraging government to consider relooking at the Mines and Minerals Act of 2015.
Mr. Kangamungazi says government should particularly look at reducing the years a prospector can hold on to an exploration license.
He says Caritas Zambia thinks that the 10 years provided for in the Act is too long a time for a piece of land to reserved for possible mining operations when such land can be used for productive purposes like Agriculture activities.