Traditional leaders in Kalomo have called on government to find a lasting solution to the water challenges in the area.
This came to light during a research survey conducted by a multi-sectoral team under the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in its participatory mapping and biodiversity assessment exercise in the area.
Speaking on behalf of other traditional leaders, headman Kaingu says inadequate water at most water points forces residents to share the essential commodity with their domestic animals.
This came to light during a research survey being conducted by a multi-sectoral team under the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in its participatory mapping and biodiversity assessment exercise in the area.
Headman Kaingu claims that almost all the 13 villages in the cluster depend on the all-weather flowing Bbilili hot spring stream which is now on the verge of extinction due to siltation.
‘I can say that the most challenge people are facing in this area is water. If government can construct at least two dams in this cluster of villages and drill more boreholes for the community, these environmental ills such as cutting trees for charcoal purposes can be lessened,” headman Kaingu observes.
CIFOR is running the Collaboration to Operationalize Landscape Approach for Nature, Development and Sustainability (COLANDS) project, which is being done in five wards of Kalomo district, namely; Bbilili, Katanda, Naluja, Mayoba and Omba.
The project aims at identifying challenges being experienced by people residing in the project area by understanding tools that affect the communities to better manage the landscape, support productive land use systems as well as to fulfil environment and biodiversity goals.
The participatory mapping and biodiversity assessment targets communities to better manage and appreciate the benefits of natural resources in their localities.
The Germany funded project being implemented by CIFOR in partnership with the local forestry department and the Zambia Community-Based Natural Resource Management Forum is also done in Burkina Faso and Indonesia.