CEJ Applauds Govt’s Crackdown on Nature-Based Crimes in Zambia
The Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) has commended the Zambian government for intensifying its fight against nature-based crimes, which continue to threaten both environmental sustainability and local livelihoods.
Speaking during a capacity-building training session for Community Environmental Social Auditors in Serenje District, CEJ Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Haggai Nyambe praised the recent government interventions targeting illegal activities such as logging, mining, and wildlife trafficking.
The training, supported by the Resilience Fund and key partners including the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, is part of CEJ’s wider mission to empower communities in monitoring and reporting environmental crimes.
“These crimes are largely profit-driven and often benefit foreign entities while leaving behind long-term damage to our environment and economy,” Nyambe said.
He cited elephant poaching as a stark example, noting how ivory from Zambia is trafficked through Tanzania to China, highlighting the international dimension of nature crimes.
Nyambe further stressed that illegal mining activities alone may be costing the government over K50 million in daily revenue losses while also depriving local councils of essential development funds.
“Unauthorized land occupation and encroachment are not only destroying habitats but also displacing wildlife and escalating human-animal conflicts,” he warned.
CEJ urged all stakeholders—government agencies, local communities, and international partners—to maintain momentum in combating environmental crimes. The organisation emphasized the need for vigilance, stronger enforcement, and enhanced community participation to protect Zambia’s natural heritage.
