Drought Inspires Community Led Climate Action in Zambia´s Kamilambo Village

 

Tree planting activity in Kamilambo Village

By ANNIE ZULU

Amidst the challenges posed by the El Niño- induced drought which has affected 9. 8 million people across Zambia, a community- led initiative to preserve trees and restore those that have been lost has emerged in Kamilambo Village, Chief Kaindu´s area in Mumbwa district.

Situated about 140km from the Zambia´s Capital City Lusaka, Mumbwa district is one of the drought-stricken areas and has been a hotspot for tree cutting and charcoal production over the years.

The district is now grappling with the impact of the drought, which has posed significant threats to agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The drought has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, particularly for communities reliant on traditional farming practices.

In April, the Zambian government banned charcoal production permits in Mumbwa,  Itezhi-tezhi and Shibuyunji districts in an effort to address the escalating climate crisis and curb deforestation.

The ban prohibits the issuance of Cord Wood Permits for charcoal production in the designated districts. Stricter enforcement measures, including enhanced patrols and penalties for non-compliance, are being implemented to ensure adherence to the directive.

According to then Minister of Green Economy and Environment Engineer Collins Nzovu,  his Ministry had recorded increased levels of deforestation and land degradation due to illegal and massive cutting down of trees for charcoal production, in the three districts.

It takes a community

The traditional leadership and community members of  Kamilambo Village in Mumbwa  have since taken a proactive stance towards climate change and forest preservation in the area.

The community has recognised the detrimental impacts of massive tree cutting, particularly for charcoal production on the local environment and the severe drought affecting the country and has mobilized to implement effective measures.

Senior Village Headman Moses Mulamfu ,78, told this reporter that the community has established a customary law that punishes individuals found cutting trees, stressing the community's commitment to preserving their natural resources.

 “Cutting down of trees is now a very serious offense in this chiefdom and if anyone is found doing it, we charge them with goats according to how many trees they have cut,” Headman Chama said.

He added that the law has proved to be effective, as there has been a reduction in charcoal burning activities in the area and for three people have seen charged so far.

“Charcoal kilns were everywhere, but we no longer see that anymore, because we have come together as a community to try and put this to an end,” he explained.

The Community has also taken a proactive approach to diversifying local economies and reducing dependency on charcoal production by promoting alternative livelihood activities such as beekeeping, organic tomato growing, and poultry among others.

Another Senior Headman, Lawrence Kabalakasha ,56, said the community is not only aiming to address environmental concerns but also create sustainable income-generating opportunities.

However, Headman Kabalakasha, appealed to the government and other stakeholders for support for the success and scalability of these alternative livelihood programs.

“Support in terms of funding, training, and infrastructure development, can help strengthen these initiatives and ensure their long-term sustainability,” he said.

From An Ex-Charcoal Burner's Perspective

Oliver Sondashi ,34, is one of the youths in Kamilambo village involved in the charcoal burning business five years ago and cut down hundreds of trees yearly in the area.

Oliver, who is now an advocate for climate change and one of the frontliners of the community-led initiative, decided to abandon the charcoal business after realising he wasn´t making enough money from it to feed his family and the effects it had on his health.

 “I was in the business for five years and I never made good profit, the people who benefit more were those that bought charcoal from us to go and resale in the city. I was also constantly experiencing serious chest pains,” he said.

As an advocate for climate change, Oliver plays a crucial role in raising awareness and mobilizing his community to address environmental issues.

“Trees play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they have the ability to absorb and store carbon emissions. Most people in this community including children are now aware of the effects of cutting trees because we have community meetings where we discuss these things, we also do door-to-door campaigns and target schools,” he said.

Women Taking the Lead                  

The women in Kamilambo village are also actively participating in shaping the future of their community as far as ending deforestation is concerned and Jacqueline Chiyema ,40, is among them.

Jacqueline who has lived her entire life in the Village is leading tree plantation across the community.

According to her, charcoal burning has done more harm than good to the community, pointing out the decline in biodiversity, evidenced by the disappearance of birds, butterflies and other animals.

“Nowadays, we don’t see birds, butterflies and many other animals like back in the days. We don’t also get to have wild fruits because most of the trees have been cut, we need to restore the trees,” she said.

She observed the urgent need restoration of the local environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

“Restoring trees will not only help to mitigate climate change but also promote ecosystem health and resilience, providing essential recourses for both wildlife and our community," she said.

Another woman Eunice Mulamfu ,53, noted the exploitation of children in charcoal burning, saying it does not only deprive them of their right to education but also exposes them to hazardous working conditions and undermines their overall well-being.

 Eunice, called for a permanent end to charcoal burning in the village, as this will protect children in the community and the promotion of their access to education and a safe environment.

These narratives paint a picture of resilience, collaboration and determination in the face of climate change challenges. By harnessing community-driven solutions and support, initiatives like those in Kamilambo village offer hope for a more sustainable future in Zambia and beyond.