The Mpomwa Local Forest in Eastern Province, covering 6,698 hectares, is undergoing a major restoration programme aimed at reviving degraded areas with support from the World Bank through the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Programme (ZIFLP).
The forest has in recent years been threatened by unsustainable charcoal production, encroachment for agriculture, and illegal timber harvesting.
Provincial Forestry Officer Cathrine Zulu said the programme has focused on tree planting on degraded sites, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, establishment of Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs), and training of local people in sustainable land-use practices.
Ms Zulu described the involvement of local communities in forest management as a milestone for Mpomwa Forest, which has long suffered from unsustainable practices.
“The forest has been heavily degraded over time, and the support from the World Bank has helped to bring back tree cover, restore soil fertility, and provide communities with alternative livelihoods so that they do not depend on destructive activities,” she said.
She further noted that restoring Mpomwa Local Forest was crucial not only for environmental conservation but also for ensuring water security and climate resilience in the district.
Mpomwa CFMG Chairperson Samson Mbewe said the group developed a constitution and by-laws to guide the use and protection of the forest, adding that community members had complied with sustainable practices.
He explained that the CFMG, in collaboration with the Forestry Department, has been patrolling and monitoring the forest to prevent logging, charcoal production, and encroachment.
Mr Mbewe added that the community was supported with a grant which they used to put up and procured 214 beehives as well as honey processing equipment.
He further stated that the CFMG has recorded its first honey harvest, collecting 480 kilograms during the June/July season.
“This initiative is providing households with a sustainable source of income while reducing pressure on the forest,” he said.
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