TREES OUR NATURAL RESOURCERESOURCE
ZAMBIAis a source of three quarters of the regions water, this means we are very blessed with such a resource. The beauty of this nation has to do with the green vegetation and the color green represents one of the major asset this country has. The green color on the flag tells a lot about the beauty of this country hence, the biggest portion on the flag to remind us that the resource must not go to waste.
We can say that Zambia has no competitors when it comes to the beauty of our own trees which are a source of pride. They have even attracted all sorts of investors because of the wood rare in some cases have been harvested and exported at the expense of the local people in the rural parts of this country.
Zambia has a lovely climate which favors these trees on which investors are reaping millions. It is the climate that favors the growth of hand some trees admired by people outside this country. We may grumble sometimes about our strange and unpredictable weather, but it is this weather which makes our country side look attractive to so many out there than if it was difficult.
The president has now and then encouraged all of us to plant a tree be it a fruit tree or a tree to supply our needs in future. It is because these trees play a very important role in the life of human beings and Zambians for that matter.
Trees hard or soft trees are a part of agricultural activities. They are not only because of their beauty and the shade they give to our livestock during sunny days, but also because timber is an important crop. Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the lord God to grow tree that is pleasant to the
sight, and good for food…
Therefore, if the trees are considered as a crop then we should depend on them as food unlike other resources which are a wasting assets like minerals. However, when we analyse the tree it has so many benefits especially to our rural dwellers. Trees are a source of timber and poles for housing, some trees are a source of food in terms of fruits containing beneficial nutrients needed by the body, undiluted it is all intact. Trees are a source of medicines, mentioned any medicine it has its source from the tree. The tree is able to extract necessary ingredients of life supporting chemicals from the soil and so make us well.
The trees, their roots open up the soil making the water to seep through into the underneath rock which serves as water storage and the water comes out as a spring somewhere alse. Roots of a tree again protects the soil from being eroded hence, binding it for the sake of other living materials. It is from the trees animals get their food in the form of fodder and still man from the trees makes handicrafts and other social function.
In places where trees are protected, now called forests, these in many ways support the animals (game) which in turn attract visitors from outside. Hence, a source of foreign cash to the benefit of the country.
The agroforestry being promoted is for the sake of benefitting the nation. Today the government is very serious with people cutting trees anyhow. Which are not even replaced and so disturbance of stabilization of
stream and river banks. In the past years all tobacco farmers were required to to grow trees on their farms if they are to venture in growing this crop. Eucalyptus for curing tobacco was the tree which was so much promoted as it was a fast growing plant to supply the needed fuel for tobacco curing. The government knew what it was doing in short to avoid depleting the natural resource in their area of production. Tobacco had a high wood demand for curing this cash crop. Today we can still do the same whatever tree we cut we have to replace
it with five (5) other plants. This way we shall safe guard the future from the total loss of this resource.
It is very interesting to hear that some schools are and have ventured into tree planting. Establishing plantations or woodlots today would surely save the country millions of Kwacha in importing this commodity. Should the farmers or interested individuals need expert advise the Forestry
Department is there with offices in all districts. Tree planting should be rekindled to increase and replenish this resource for the sake of the future. Deserts are created because of human activities.
Our farmers whenever they are opening land for agricultural activities, planting of trees should be inco- operated in their program. Trees have a duty of protecting field crops as well as farm buildings from wind damage. Open areas always give strength to blowing wind (wind is moving air in motion so they say). Crops and building open to wind risk damage as tree vegetation is not available to weaken the blowing wind.
In charcoal burning area they should people should be taught that selective felling of trees is very important and must be encouraged. This to leave mother trees to provide seed for regeneration of new plants. Bush fires must be managed properly. By training the rural communities early burning the forests are protected against late fires which cause more damage to vegetation. An advantage of fires also helps to break the seed dormancy of some species like those of Accacia species thus helps in natural regeneration of forests. Livefencing, enables the farmer and his livestock improved farming practices. This is how important this natural resource is to this nation. Farmers should not neglect these precious trees in all their activities. Reward comes later in life. The problem as of today we only think of immediate benefits, think of future generation. Promote this resource.