ILLEGAL CHARCOAL PRODUCTION FUELS RAPID DEFORESTRATION AT PEREKEZI FOREST IN MZIMBA
Published on June 6, 2024 at 11:20 AM by Alice Mazinga
Perekezi Forest in Mzimba continues to experience rapid deforestation as the illegal charcoal production is uncontrollable and law enforcers are failing to put man power to deal with illegal charcoal production.
This came out when members of Hora Press Club in Mzimba, with support from Governance For Solutions, toured the forest to appreciate the magnitude of damage which encroachers are doing in the protected forest reserve.
Meanwhile, Assistant District Forestry officer at M’mbelwa District Council Isaac Baloyi said Perekezi is currently patrolled by 15 forest guards against the required over 25 firearm guards.
“Despite the fact that the forest guards patrolled the forest but there is no vehicle at the office to carry out intensive patrols, a development which has paralyzed patroling activities” he said.
Chairperson for Hora Press Club Ephraim Mkali Banda has since called on stakeholders in the fight against environment degradation to work with the media in changing people’s mindset to sensitize local people on the dangers of the malpractice
