Improve early warning alerts for farmers-Zambia Episcopal Conference

By Maybin Augustine Katungulu

 

The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has called on government to improve early warning alerts for farmers.

ZEC President Archbishop Mpundu explains that in view of droughts the country has been experiencing there is need to improve early warning alerts.

Archbishop Mpundu explains that doing so will grantee food and nutrition security for Zambia.

In his communiqué to the Media at the just ended LAUDATO SI Conference the Archbishop also recommended for water harvest promotion and farmers.

" we feel as the  Church government should also look at other alternative sources of energy rather than depending on hydro electricity.  We all know that load shedding and high electricity tariffs have caused a lot of misery among the majority poor Zambians who cannot afford the commodity. This situation has even led to increased deforestation  as a result of charcoal burning".

The Catholic Church in Zambia from Monday 25th and Tuesday 26^th April 2016  held a conference  in Lusaka with the theme; care of our common home, in the context of large scale mining and Agriculture.

The conference was aimed at understanding Encyclical on creation and environment which was issued by Pope Francis last year

His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace explained to the delegates that the planet is an artistic act of God that has been given to human beings as a gift.

Cardinal Turkson also explained that Pope Francis in the Encyclical is recommending people to have a spiritual listening to what has happen to the earth.

There is need to practice environmentally friendly mining and agriculture-Catholic Church

"The Catholic Church in Zambia calls for responsible and environmentally friendly large scale mining mining and agriculture".

By Maybin Augustine Katungulu

The Catholic Church in Zambia has called on for prudence usage and exploitation of natural resources.

Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) President Archbishop George Mpundu says there is need for wise and sustainable management of resources in order to reduce poverty in the country.

Archbishop Mpundu also expressed concern about environmental impact of large scale mining and agriculture.

The ZEC President was speaking in Lusaka on Tuesday 26^th April 2016 during a communiqué to the media at the end of a 2-day Laudato SI Conference on care for  our  common home, in the context of large scale mining and agriculture

Meanwhile the Catholic Church has challenged the mining sector to practice responsible mining which take care of the environment and affected communities.

His Grace George Mpundu who is also Archbishop of Lusaka stated that there is need for mining companies to put measures to reclaim land used for extracting minerals.

According to information obtained by Desire Media Concepts (DMC), mining activities have been causing environmental challenges to communities in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia

Mrs. Bernadette Malamba, a community member in the mining province confirmed to our staffer Maybin Augustine Katungulu that the mining industries are polluting rivers and the environment in general.

Mrs. Malamba who is also Caritas-Zambia member in Ndola lamented that open pit mines are greatly affecting the community adding that they have become death traps

Pope Francis last year issued LAUDATO SI, Encyclical on creation and environment: care for our common home.

And His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace was in Lusaka at the 2-day Conference to explain the document.

Cardinal Turkson told the conference which was attended by the Zambian Catholic Bishops and the lay faith  across the country that Pope Francis in the  Encyclical is recommending people to have a spiritual listening to what has happen to the earth.

His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace explained to the delegates that the planet is an artistic creation   of God that has been given to the human race as a gift.

The high profiled LAUDATO SI, Encyclical  conference was organized by Caritas-Zambia in partnership with Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.