2,500 trees planted at Chambeshi river source

the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has planted over 2,500 trees at the source of the Chambeshi river at katalawa village in mbala district in northern province to replace trees that have been lost due to deforestation.

speaking during the tree planting exercise in mbala today, REA project manager for increased access to renewable energy project Suzyo Silavwe who spoke on behalf of acting chief executive officer Clement Saasa says the planted tree on an area of approximately 3.5 heactares include 1,000 mupapa seedlings,1,500 senna siamea.

Mr Silavwe says the planted trees will bring about a number of benefits such as the conservation of the source of the chambeshi river and improve the air quality by filtering harmful dusts and pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide from the air.

Mr Saasa notes that deforestation has continued to increase in the country due to many factors such as wood extraction, agriculture expansion, infrastructure development and fires that  has resulted to a loss of approximately 300,000 hectares of the forest cover that is lost per year.

speaking earlier, Zambia environmental management agency (ZEMA) principal inspector for climate change Lillian Chama Kalenge says there is need to bear in mind that as the world’s tree population diminishes, ignorance and inaction are no longer viable options concerning the forests.

And officiating at the event, northern province deputy permanent secretary Sinema Kambenja has urged the traditional leadership and members of community to protect the planted trees from being destroyed.