Stakeholders welcome ban on charcoal production permits
By Francis Chipalo
Some players in environmental preservation have welcomed the ban of issuance of permits for charcoal production.
Green Economy and Environmental Minister Colins Nzovu announced the ban in Mumbwa, Itezhi Tezhi and Shibuyunji districs of Central Province.
Nzovu attributed the ban on issuance of Cord – Wood permits to unprecedented levels of deforestation in the country.
Reacting to this decision, Care for Nature Zambia Executive Director Nsama Kearns commended government for the timely intervention.
Kearns said in an interview that there is need to ensure that charcoal being sold on the market is licensed.
She said doing so would promote legality in the industry, adding that people need to be sensitized to desist from buying unlicensed charcoal.
However, Kearns noted the need for the ministry to ensure alternatives for charcoal producers are provided.
“We need to invest more in implementing strategies that will benefit or empower communities to appreciate forest conservation,” she said.
Meanwhile, Forestry Institute of Zambia (FIZ) General Secretary Chaliafya Katungula said stringent measures aimed at curtailing charcoal production in totality are needed.
The forestry expert stated that charcoal was not a sustainable source of energy.
He suggested round table discussions with charcoal producers in order to promote other sources of energy for Zambian households.
