Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Together we will make it says Mutati & Chiteme
The ministry of national development planning alongside ministry of lands and natural resources has launched a more than 32 million us dollar World Bank supported program dubbed the Zambia integrated forest landscape program (ZIFL).
National development planning, minister Alexander Chiteme says the launch of the program is scheduled to run for an initial 5 year to build capacity and improve livelihoods in the community.
Mr. Chiteme says the program will run for a further 10 years upon successful completion with an additional 3o million United States dollars.
He adds that the minister explained that the project aims to improve the rural livelihoods through sustainable management and utilization of agriculture, forestry and wildlife resources.
And lands and natural resources, minister Jean Kapata explained that deforestation rate in Zambia is as high as 276 hectors per annum due to unsustainable agriculture, bad land use practices and high demand for biomass energy.
Ms. Kapata further explained that government has taken huge steps to address this through policy and legal frameworks such as the national forest policies and the new forest act that promotes community participation.
The minister expressed her joy at being part of the launch.
The occasion was attended by eighteen (18) chiefs in eastern province alongside paramount chief Mpezeni and paramount chief Gawa Undi.
And speaking at the same event minister of eastern province Makebi Zulu recognized that climate change effects have worsened the poverty levels in his province.
Mr. Zulu expressed gratitude at the coming of the project which will be implemented in all the 9 districts of eastern province.
Meanwhile world bank country manager in a Ruthenberg stated that the project is special in a way because Zambia is among the first four (4) countries (Ethiopia, Colombia and Indonesia) to access funds from the Biocaborn funds under the programme called initiative for sustainable forest landscapes.”
The program is expected to significantly reduce bio carbon emissions while improving sustainable agriculture in communities. After the launch, the ministers went to launch the national tree planting season in eastern province. Program dubbed the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Program (ZIFL).