4 June 2010
FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda has commended President Rupiah Banda for his commitment to ensuring that forests in Zambia are preserved.
Dr Kaunda said President Banda's establishment of a committee of eminent persons on environment in 2009 was evidence of his commitment to the preservation of forests with regard to climate change.
Speaking at Beit-Cure hospital in Lusaka yesterday ahead of the World Environment Day, which falls tomorrow, he said there was need to promote sustainable agriculture in order to improve the performance of the sector.
"His establishment of the committees of which I am the chair is evidence of his commitment to ensure that we act responsibly to preserve our forests," he said.
Dr Kaunda thanked Mr Banda for his decision and putting in place initiatives that support the development of the country.
"We need to join hands with Government and other stakeholders to ensure that we meet our shared objectives, "He said.
Dr Kaunda has said there was need for all stakeholders to work at boosting the agriculture sector in a most sustainable way by paying special attention to the environment.
Dr Kaunda said maintaining forests was one way of ensuring that effects of climate change on agriculture were minimised, as forests help to prevent environmental degradation and play an important part in sustaining lives on earth.
Speaking when she planted 150 trees at Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka, Standard Chartered Bank managing director Mizinga Melu said for a sustainable economy there was need to have a solid environment which would support the growth of the agriculture sector.
Ms Melu said the cutting down of tree vigorously had affected the performance of the agriculture sector in the country.
And the United Nations (UN) system in Zambia said trees protect the environment, help combat climate change and provide protection and livelihoods for numerous people.
Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative Noureddin Mona said forests were not plantations of single tree species, but diverse ecosystems supporting life from the tiniest organism to human beings.
Mr Mona said the UN was working both internationally and in Zambia to ensure that value of forests was recognised and a living, growing tree left standing would become worth more than a tree cut down.
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