Govt starts growing bamboo tree for charcoal production

Lands Minister Jean Kapata – Picture by Albert Mpezeni

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has embarked on an initiative to promote the growing of solid Bamboo for sustainable charcoal production, among other uses, to reduce deforestation.

This follows after she undertook a field visit to Chief Nyawa’s area in Kazungula District after His Royal Highness raised concerns on the indiscriminate cutting of trees in his area for charcoal production.

Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata has further disclosed that Chief Nyawa has accepted the Ministry’s proposal to grow solid Bamboo on a pilot basis in his area and has promised to make available land for the initial Pilot Project.

Ms. Kapata says this is in line with the Patriotic Front Manifesto that seeks to promote and invest in research to develop alternative sources of energy for domestic use so as to control deforestation.

Ms. Kapata has observed that Bamboo species grows very quickly and harvesting starts after four years and that it will reduce the rate of deforestation.

She has however directed the Director of Forestry to immediately implement the Pilot Bamboo Project in Chief Nyawa’s area before the end of the 2017/2018 rain season.