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By Scoop Reporter
Over 350 participants from government, traditional authorities, NGOs, civil society, the private sector, and local communities attended the eighth national Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) conference.
The aim was to discuss how to enhance Zambia’s capacity for sustainability and conservation.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Mposha, emphasized that climate change is a significant challenge facing conservation today and is contributing to resource scarcity.
He noted that recent droughts have had devastating effects on rural livelihoods, leaving communities to deal with food insecurity and increasing human-wildlife conflicts over dwindling resources.
Mr. Mposha stated that the theme of this year’s conference, “Promoting Participatory Governance and Collaboration to Empower Communities for Sustainable Futures and Natural Resources Stewardship,” highlights the shared responsibility for conservation.
He described this as not just an abstract concept, but a vital element of the government’s democratic principles and an essential pillar for equitable resource management.
“The theme is appropriate and serves as a guiding principle, reminding us all of the transformative potential of unity in purpose and action. This event symbolizes Zambia’s unwavering commitment to collaborative and inclusive stewardship of its natural resources, according to Mr. Mposha.
He expressed anticipation for a comprehensive report and actionable recommendations from the conference discussions.
The minister also recognized the leadership role of traditional leaders as custodians of cultural heritage and stewards of biodiversity.
He remarked that their steadfast support for conservation in challenging times has been a beacon of hope for many rural communities.
Mr. Mposha encouraged the participants to discuss the implementation of conservation policies and the roles that each stakeholder must play in bringing these efforts to fruition.
He pointed out several critical conservation challenges facing Zambia, including poaching and illegal wildlife trade that threaten key species, encroachment on protected areas for agriculture and settlement, and deforestation driven by agriculture, logging, and charcoal production.
He also highlighted inadequate funding as a limitation on conservation efforts, along with limited local involvement in decision-making, overfishing in key freshwater ecosystems, and biodiversity loss due to infrastructure development and mining projects, all of which pose significant barriers to sustainable resource management.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mposha has announced that the Climate Change Bill No. 18 of 2024 aims to address the challenges surrounding carbon trading in Zambia.
He highlighted that one of the main issues in carbon trading is the lack of transparency, particularly concerning the revenue generated from carbon credits.
He said traditional leaders, communities, and the government have not received accurate or sufficient information about the proceeds from carbon trading.
To tackle this issue, Mr. Mposha stated that the new bill, along with other regulatory measures, will establish a clearer and more transparent framework for carbon credit transactions.
“The bill will provide a more accountable and transparent approach to carbon trading, ensuring that both communities and the government can fairly benefit from climate change mitigation efforts,” he said.
Additionally, at the same event, Minister of Land and Natural Resources Sylvia Masebo emphasized the importance of protecting and conserving Zambia’s natural resources, ensuring that local communities continue to benefit.
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