ZAMBIA Forestry College (ZFC) principal Sackson Siame has expressed worry at the rampant deforestation in the Mwekera Forest Reserve.

In an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Siame said it was sad that instead of people getting involved in the protection of the forest reserves, they were busy destroying the forests.

Mr Siame appealed to politicians to help in educating people about the importance of the forests and their effect on the rain pattern.

He said people should be educated that forests play a vital role in the rain pattern which support agriculture in the area.

He said once the forest was completely destroyed by indiscriminate cutting of trees by charcoal burners, the area would not be able to support its agriculture.

"The issue of rampant deforestation is worrying here because each passing day the forest is being destroyed by charcoal burners. I think we should now appeal for political will to help us to protect the forests," Mr Siame said.

The other serious effect would be the drying up of rivers in the area.

He called on the people in the area to look at this devastating effect before the forests were completely wiped out.

He said out of 50,000 hectares of forest, only 25,000 hectares of it had remained undisturbed.