Government has called for community involvement in the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems. ‎Isoka District Administrative Officer, Sarah Sooli says all environmental conservation efforts must take into account the livelihood needs of people who depend on the same…

Government has called for community involvement in the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems.

‎Isoka District Administrative Officer, Sarah Sooli says all environmental conservation efforts must take into account the livelihood needs of people who depend on the same natural resources for survival.

‎Ms Sooli notes that local communities should be involved in identifying environmental challenges and developing practical solutions, stating that their participation is essential to the success and sustainability of conservation initiatives.

‎The District Administrative Officer said this during the Global Environment Facility (GEF-9) Scoping Mission for Muchinga Province, held at Isoka Town Council Chamber.

‎The meeting was aimed at developing a funding proposal for the restoration and protection of critical ecosystems within the Upper Luangwa catchment.

‎Ms Sooli said stakeholders need to understand the circumstances that drive communities into activities that contribute to environmental degradation and work together to identify sustainable alternatives.

‎She cited charcoal production as an example of an activity that, despite putting pressure on forests, provided an income for some households.

‎“We need to work closely with our communities and understand the challenges they face. If people depend on activities such as charcoal burning to support their families, we must explore sustainable alternatives that protect the environment while also addressing their livelihood needs,” she said.

‎Ms Sooli said government departments, traditional leaders and other stakeholders should collaborate in promoting environmental awareness and supporting communities to adopt practices that would protect natural resources without undermining their livelihoods.

‎Meanwhile, GEF-9 Scoping Mission Consultant, Royd Vinya, said agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, population growth and the production of charcoal and timber were among the major drivers of environmental degradation in Muchinga Province.

‎Professor Vinya said the increasing demand for agricultural land was contributing to forest loss, soil erosion and habitat destruction, while agricultural chemicals are finding their way into water systems and negatively affecting aquatic life.

‎He said Isoka’s agricultural activities need to be managed sustainably to prevent continued forest clearance and damage to surrounding ecosystems.

‎“People must survive. The charcoal producers have responded by producing charcoal because they must feed their children. We must understand that they are also trying to make a living,” Professor Vinya said.

‎He said the proposed intervention should therefore address the underlying causes of environmental degradation by promoting sustainable land management, restoring degraded areas and conserving biodiversity.

‎Professor Vinya explained that the Upper Luangwa catchment was an important biodiversity area supporting various plant and animal species, wetlands and other critical ecosystems, but continued pressure from human activities threatened its long-term sustainability.

‎He said the proposed project would focus on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and restoration, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

‎Professor Vinya added that the ultimate goal was to ensure communities could continue benefiting from natural resources while maintaining the ecological systems that support agriculture, water resources and other livelihoods.

‎And Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Senior Environmental Management Officer, Mirriam Mbewe, said Zambia is eligible to access funding from the Global Environment Facility because the country was part of several international environmental agreements supported by the facility.

‎Ms Mbewe, who represented the GEFs Operational Focal Point person said the facility provided financial support to developing countries to address global environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change.

‎She said the funding framework also supported initiatives in chemicals and waste management, international waters and integrated programmes that linked environmental protection with sustainable livelihoods.

‎Ms Mbewe said the scoping mission was an important step towards identifying environmental priorities and shaping a funding proposal that aligned local needs with the GEF’s strategic areas of support.

‎She added that Zambia had implemented 30 regional, sub-regional and global projects since the facility was established, demonstrating the country’s engagement with GEF-supported environmental initiatives.