Luangwa Agricultural officers undergo El-Nino effects training

An 80-year-old man of Lububa in Luampa District has emerged as a symbol of community-led conservation after securing more than 1,000 hectares of land for forest regeneration. Mr Mulele Masiye, working closely with traditional leaders has championed the protection of natural…

 An 80-year-old man of Lububa in Luampa District has emerged as a symbol of community-led conservation after securing more than 1,000 hectares of land for forest regeneration.

Mr Mulele Masiye, working closely with traditional leaders has championed the protection of natural resources by converting former farmland into a conservation area.

The initiative has earned praise from government officials, who have described Mr Masiye as a local Green Champion.

Western Province Permanent Secretary Simomo Kapelwa, speaking during a tree-planting event, commended Mr Masiye for his leadership and commitment to environmental protection.

Mr Kapelwa said Mr Masiye’s efforts demonstrated that meaningful environmental action could begin with one committed individual who identifies a need, mobilises others and promotes practical solutions.

He said community-level initiatives were important because local people understood their environment and were best placed to protect it.

Mr Kapelwa encouraged Mr Masiye and other Green Champions to continue working with schools, traditional leaders, government departments, cooperating partners and community groups to expand the initiative.

Provincial Forestry Officer Kanduli Mupeta also called for greater community involvement in forest conservation, particularly the management of existing forests.

Ms Mupeta said indigenous forests were resilient and capable of regenerating when they were not subjected to excessive disturbance.

She said conservation efforts should therefore focus on protecting existing forests, which required relatively less cost and effort compared to restoring heavily degraded areas.

Ms Mupeta further highlighted the role schools could play in conservation, noting that Lububa Primary and Secondary School, with an enrolment of 1,303 learners, provided an opportunity to establish conservation clubs.

She said the clubs could help promote environmental protection among learners and the wider community.

Ms Mupeta also said government, through the Forest Department, had established policies under the Forest Act and Community Forest Regulations to empower communities to manage forests and benefit from them.

She encouraged people living in the area who were passionate about forest conservation to come together and establish community forest management areas.

Ms Mupeta said government could formally recognise such groups under the Forest Act and enter into agreements with them to manage forests according to conditions agreed upon by the communities.