Zambia: The Department of Forest in Serenje District has announced that climate change is negatively affecting operations. The department is worried about the future forest preservation in light of the situation that they are predicting.
The forests are the most affected part of a natio when it comes to the climate crisis. The department has observed that in many cases, forests are the root of the climate crisis as rapid industrialisation affects forest cover.
The department of forestry has said that they are working for the future of the nation in terms of forest cover. District Forest Technologist Vera Toyanga has highlighted the issues that the department if facing due to climate change.
He said that the nursery in the district failed due to inadequate water as the shortages are negatively impacting the survival of plantations.
Toyanga has called on the members of the community to work on reviving the land areas which aree facing degradation. The communities can help in this effort by planting Eucalyptus and Pine trees for income generation through carbon credits.
Henry Kunda, a Beekeeper has shared his own experience with the climate change and crisis. The community depended highly on forestry for their livelihood before the threat of climate change became apparent. They used to collect forest produce such as mushrooms, Caterpillars, fruits, honey among others.
“Currently due to climate change impacts the forest productivity is too low to sustain community livelihoods,” Kunda noted.
Kunda has also shared how the community is addressing the issues by practicing a modern version of bee keeping. The beekeeper said that the strategy has benefited the community through income generation and appealed for expansion and value addition.
Col. Remmy Mwansa Rtd, a fish farmer in the Serenje District said that the residents should consider venturing into fish farming and agroforestry. “Fish mortality rate is high following the drought experienced in the area,” Kunda said.
The resident of the community has called on the government to support initiatives such as fish farming, and crop diversification in an effort to mitigate Climate Change.