Zambian government calls for sustainable exploitation of forests

   Moscow. Mar 21, 2006. /Lesprom.ru/. Zambian government Tuesday called for a more organized exploiting of the country's forestry, saying socio-economic development can not be attained if forest products continue to be exploited carelessly, Xinhua reported.

Marking the World Forestry Day, tourism, environment and natural resources minister Kabinga Pande said that it is important for the communities of the country to safeguard the existing forests while rehabilitating the degraded forest areas as well as establishing exotic forest plantations to relieve pressure on the natural resources.

The minister said in Lusaka that although the forests cover about 60% of the southern African country, about 850 000 hectares are being cleared every year.

Mr. Pande reiterated that the problem of deforestation and mitigation measures should not be left to the government alone but that all stakeholders should be involved in the protection of forestry.

To mark the World Forestry Day a number of government ministers planted trees in the capital city of Lusaka.