LCC Commemorates World Forest Day with Fruit Tree Distribution in Kabwata
In honor of World Forest Day, the Lusaka City Council, in collaboration with the IKOE Foundation, distributed 40 fruit trees to members of the Kabwata community to plant in their homes.
The event took place this morning at Kabwata Play Park, under the theme: “Forest And Innovation, New Solutions For A Better World.”
Lusaka Mayor, Ms. Chilando Chitangala, highlighted the crucial role of trees in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In a speech delivered by Kabwata Councilor, Hon. Chishala Bwalya, Mayor Chitangala emphasized that trees not only provide food and medicine but also contribute to our overall livelihoods, underscoring the importance of environmental protection efforts.
Mayor Chitangala further stressed the significance of embracing alternative sources of energy and technologies as part of forest conservation strategies. She noted Lusaka’s high charcoal consumption rate, especially in underdeveloped settlements, and urged for collective action to address this issue.
Planting trees within residential areas, the Mayor pointed out, offers multiple benefits including nature-based solutions to flooding, extreme temperatures, and winds, contributing to the overall well-being of the environment.
John Kangombe, Programs Lead at the IKOE Foundation, expressed pleasure in collaborating with the council on greening initiatives such as revamping inner-city parks.
He emphasized the success of public-private partnerships in maintaining green spaces within cities and highlighted ongoing tree planting programs and awareness campaigns about the importance of forests.
Kangombe underscored the importance of individual action in environmental conservation, emphasizing the role of citizens in greening their surroundings.
The collaboration between the Lusaka City Council and the IKOE Foundation exemplifies a concerted effort to promote environmental sustainability and underscores the importance of community involvement in conservation activities.
This information was shared in a statement by Bupe Kabuswe Chumbwe, Public Relations Officer for the Lusaka City Council.
