Govt, chiefs reportedly join forces to protect Lundazi national forest

Government says it has partnered with traditional leaders and private sector stakeholders to halt the rapid degradation of the Lundazi National Forest in Eastern Province.

The intervention, led by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, is reportedly being implemented under the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP), with support from the World Bank.

The programme aims to restore the forest while advancing climate change mitigation and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

In a statement issued on Monday, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Paul Thole said the initiative sought to develop a long-term strategy for protecting the forest.

“The government is committed to working with line ministries, cooperating partners, traditional leaders and local communities to ensure the Lundazi National Forest is restored and sustainably managed,” Thole said.

Thole was speaking after leading a multi-stakeholder delegation to the area over the weekend. The delegation included Acting Director of Forestry Freddie Siangulube and Assistant Secretary Clement Chilembo.

The team held consultations with traditional leaders to strengthen community participation in forest conservation.

Chief Kazembe of the Chewa people in Lumezi District expressed concern over deforestation linked to the tobacco industry, citing unsustainable curing methods for Virginia tobacco that consume large quantities of firewood.

Chief Zumwanda also called for closer collaboration between traditional authorities and the Forestry Department to curb charcoal production and illegal encroachment into forest reserves.

A positive development was reported in Chief Chikomeni’s chiefdom, where charcoal production had dropped by 90 percent following sustained community sensitisation campaigns.

Chief Chikomeni emphasised the need for alternative livelihoods for people living in forest areas, proposing beekeeping as a viable substitute for charcoal burning.

In response, Siangulube said government is ready to support climate-smart agriculture and honey production to reduce pressure on protected forests.

The mission brought together key partners, including the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ), Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO), BioCarbon Partners (BCP) and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).

The engagements concluded with a wrap-up meeting in Chipata, where stakeholders agreed on recommendations to strengthen forest governance and conservation financing.

Chilembo, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, commended participants for proposing practical solutions.

“The recommendations developed demonstrate our shared commitment to protecting Lundazi National Forest for the benefit of present and future generations,” he said.

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