‘Stop cutting trees in river banks’

ISOKA residents have been warned against cutting down of trees on the bank of Luangwa River. Speaking during three- day Climate Justice Dialogue meeting organised by Zambia Social Forum (ZAMSOF), ISOKA District Commissioner Evenwell Mutambo has warned that climate change was a serious concern that needed urgent attention. Mr Mutambo said some parts of Isoka had already started experiencing effects of climate change as evidenced by the poor rainfall recorded during the last farming season that resulted in poor crop yield. Mr Mutambo said the Luangwa Valley in the district only received rains three times the entire rain season resulting in drying up of maize and rice crops. ‘’I would like to strongly warn those that are cutting down trees on the bank of Luangwa River to conduct their farming activities to refrain from doing so as this has adversely affected the rain pattern for the area,” Mr Mutambo said. Mr Mutambo said depletion of trees on the bank of the Luangwa River had affected the rain pattern in the valley. He has urged those involved in charcoal burning to engage in other activities to sustain their livelihood. ‘’We have started engaging those involved in cutting down trees for production to engage in other productive activities that will not have negative impact on the climate as well as the environment,‘’ Mr Mutambo said. And Mr Mutambo has urged farmers to start drought resistant crops. Meanwhile, ZAMSOF Chairperson Charles Kombe Mulila said the country’s rainfall pattern had changed due to bad farming practices that impact negatively on climate change. Mr Mulila discouraged farmers from indiscriminately cutting down trees. He has urged farmers to always plant trees to replace those being cut to mitigate the effects of climate change. He said the community and the country at large should be proactive when dealing with issues of climate change. The objective of the dialogue was to strengthen capacity of civil society organisations and citizens in holding government accountable on the enforcement of policies and regulation for sustainable natural resources management and climate justice.