Forest reserve squatters warned … do not encroach

By LINDA SOKO TEMBO

Government has warned all individuals and entities that have encroached on the Forest Reserves to immediately move out or face eviction.

Speaking during a press briefing Minister of Lands, Jean Kapata said government had observed with great concern that almost all the 473 forest reserves had been encroached adding that people were conducting various activities within the protected areas such as settlement, cultivation and mining.

Ms Kapata said that all forest reserves whether National, Local or Botanical had been reserved for specific reasons such as "improved forest resource management and sustainable utilization of forest resources at nation and local level.

"The security of forest resources, conservation and protection of ecosystems, particularly land, wildlife and water supplies of strategic importance to mention but a few, were all a prority for government," she said.

The minister warned that all those who were conducting various activities without permits or licenses issued by the forestry department, were doing so against the provisions of the Act of 2015.

She directed that all illegal activities taking place in forest reserves be halted and warned that culprits would face the full force of the law.

"I hereby direct the director of forestry to serve eviction notice all those who have encroached on the forest reserves to move out immediately.

"For those that are cultivating various crops they should be directed to move out after harvesting their crops of the current growing season," she said.

“Am sure you are aware that some of them of these people settle in these forests for various reasons like farming, illegal mining and others are even into poaching.

The minister said she was also taking an opportunity to inform the nation that soon her ministry will issue a Community Forest Management Statutory Instrument in the first quarter of 2018.

She said this will allow local communities to participate in sustainable forest management.

Ms Kapata said the ministry was working with cooperating partners such as Finland, Global Environmental Facility and the United States Agency for Intentional Development aimed at establishing about 40,000 hectares as Community Forests in Muchinga, Northwestern and Central Provinces.