New forest policy on cards

Melody Mashaire Herald Reporter
Government is in the process of developing a forest policy aimed at mitigating climate change effects and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programmes, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Addressing journalists and delegates yesterday at the belated World Environment Day Press conference, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, said the programmes would allow the country to participate in the global carbon markets and generate revenue for conservation and communities.

“Zimbabwe should increase its participation in climate change mitigation frameworks such as the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programmes.

“These would allow the country to participate in the global carbon markets and generate revenue for conservation and communities. All these issues will be considered in the Forest Policy, which the ministry is currently developing.

“We would like the nation to participate in the consultation processes and provide your input into the process so that the Forest Policy would reflect our aspirations going forward,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said forest resources contributed about 3 percent to 4 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to the improvement of food security.

“Forest resources contribute about 3 percent to 4 percent to the country’s GDP and generally to the improvement of food security, domestic needs of rural communities, generation of rural income, agricultural productivity and ultimately to the protection of the environment,” she said.