Milenge MP Urges Environmental NGOs to Extend Services to Rural Areas

 By Linda Mupemo

Milenge MP Saka Chonde

Milenge Constituency Member of Parliament Saka Chonde has implored Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) engaged in environmental protection programmes to extend their services to rural communities such as Milenge district.  

 

Mr. Chonde observed that lack of supplementary efforts from NGOs has contributed to insufficient access to information on environmental protection in rural areas. 

 

 

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr. Chonde noted that most NGOs involved in environmental sustainability activities are concentrated in urban areas resulting in rural areas lagging behind. 

 

Mr. Chonde said there is need for concerted efforts from various stakeholders to eradicate environmental degradation. 

 

"At the moment, there is no NGO involved in environmental protection in Milenge. I am calling on NGOs to roll out there programmes to our constituency with a view to supplementing government efforts. Environmental degradation affects everyone hence the work cannot be left to government alone," he said. 

 

Mr. Chonde stated that there is need to heighten information dissemination on environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation measures. 

 

He added that environmental degradation is widespread in rural areas due to harmful practices such as bad farming methods. 

 

"Most of our farmers engage in harmful farming methods such as shifting cultivation. I am urging farmers to work closely with agricultural officers and adopt smart agricultural practices," he said.

 

Meanwhile, Environmental Health Specialist Brazwell Bota said the community needs awareness on environmental conservation practices. 

 

 

Mr. Bota who is also Milenge Town Council Public Health Inspector noted that there is rampant indiscriminate burning of bushes and cutting down of trees in the area. 

 

"Most members of the community resort to burning as a way of clearing their surroundings, a practice which leads to air pollution. We need to bridge the knowledge gap with regards to best environmental practices," he said.