MULOBEZI CONSTITUENCY TAKES PART IN “PLANT A CPC FOREST”

Member of Parliament for Mulobezi Constituency, Mr Alfred Mandumbwa has urged constituents to plant trees alongside the COVID-19 pandemic fight. Mr Mandumbwa said this during the tree planting exercise held at Mulobezi Constituency Office on Thursday, 14th January, 2021 as part of the “Plant a Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) Forest Project” that was launched on 23rd November 2020, by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia at Parliament Buildings.

The parliamentarian called upon stakeholders who included, among others, timber merchants, government departments officials and leaders of various organisations to take keen interest in planting trees at their homes, churches and workplaces in order to combat climate change. He added that trees are not only essential for the ecosystem and protection of the land and property but also a source of food and medication in many parts of the world. He reiterated that even in the midst of COVID-19, people were still running to citric fruit trees such as lemons in the fight against the pandemic.

And the District Forest Officer, Mr Davy Lutangu, thanked the National Assembly for the initiative and noted that it was encouraging to see the area Member of Parliament taking keen interest in tree planting. He said that the tree planting exercise had come at the right time, adding that the period from 15th December to 31st January marked the national tree planting season for the Forestry Department. Mr Lutangu therefore, encouraged stakeholders to heed the call of the Member of Parliament by planting trees in their respective localities.

The District commissioner, Mr Mulenga Tembo commended the Member of Parliament for kick starting the Commonwealth tree planting exercise in the area. He added that the gesture would go a long way in complementing efforts by the government and cooperating partners which include, among others, the National Tree Planting Programme and Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR). He called upon timber dealers to reciprocate the Member of Parliament’s effort by planting trees to compensate the trees they harvest.