Maravi

Govt constitutes committee to engage stake holders on timber harvesting ban

Govt constitutes committee to engage stake holders on timber harvesting ban
By Gift Chanda
Wed 06 Feb. 2013, 14:20 CAT

GOVERNMENT has constituted a technical committee to consult various stakeholders across the country over the lifting of a ban on timber harvesting.

Lands permanent secretary Daisy Ng'ambi who announced the move yesterday said the committee will consult stakeholders around the country to ascertain the extent holders of timber licenses comply with their provisions.

The government on November 8, 2012, suspended all timber licences and banned harvesting of timber in a bid to protect depleting forest cover in the country.

Zambia is one of the top ten countries in the world with the highest deforestation rates, losing approximately 8,000 hectares of forest a year, government data shows.

"Following the suspension of the timber harvesting by the Minister of Lands, the government has constituted a technical committee to consult stakeholders around the country to ascertain to what extent holders of timber licenses," stated Ng'ambi.

"The committee will hold consultations in the various provinces and make recommendations to the Minster of Lands for consideration before the ban can be lifted."

According to the schedule, the committee is expected to hold meetings in Kabompo, Livingstone, Mongu, Mansa, Luangwa, Isoka and Kasama.

Labels: DAISY NG'AMBI, TIMBER

posted by MrK @ 5:44 PM