Zambia forest lands need a quick makeover to survive! If the forests fail to survive the Zambian rural lifestyle will not be far behind. Your forest lands are shrinking as families venture out into the art of farming. The first thing to go is the trees, which most of the time are cut down and just burnt. This is not the only thing that is decimating the forests of Zambia. Thousands of cubic meters of timber are cut each day for fuelwood both for human use and for supplying fuelwood markets in urban areas. The continuing cutting of fuelwood by breweries, brick makers, tobacco growers, institutions, stakes for gardens, building timbers and the list goes on. And don’t forget the commercial cutting of trees for timber. So how much is replaced through reforestation? Very little is given back. The forest is doing its best to rejuvenate itself but is falling behind quickly. This is where community forests come into the picture. Forests must be managed. And who better to that is the community that is relying on the forest for a good part of their existence. What about potential livelihoods? Incomes! A society that realizes the need to give back to the natural environment. A society that contributes to the future of the rural lifestyle of rural Zambia. Start the ball rolling, talk to your family, your friends, and other stakeholders, and most importantly talk to yourself!
Yes…. it can be done! We can do it together!
Send me a message at: africancommunityproject@gmail.com if you have questions or want to start a community forest.
SUSTAINABLE FUELWOOD IN ZAMBIA 