ZAMBIA: Catholic Bishops urge Govt to implement Policies that Protect the Environment

The Catholic Bishops of Zambia have called on the government to implement policies that protect the environment and refrain from developing cold feet every time there are vested interests in mining and agriculture investments.
In a communique read at the end of the two-day conference aimed at polarizing Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato SI with special focus on Mining and Agriculture, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Telesphore Mpundu who read the communique said that the government should also strive to harmonise all policies that govern mining, game management, agriculture, water and land.
The Bishops also expressed concern about the environmental impact of large scale mining and agriculture. “While appreciating that the two sectors are cardinal in creating jobs and meeting our daily needs, there is need for prudent and sustainable management of the earth’s resources to reduce poverty among the people for the benefit of all and future generations” Archbishop Mpundu said.
Meanwhile the bishops say they have been inspired by the deep insights from His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Turkson sharing through the key note address in at the conference in which he gave an overview of the encyclical Laudato Si’ and urged the conference to translate the ideas of the message into action and change attitudes towards all creation so as to Care for our Common Home, in the context of our quest for socio-economic and political development.
Some of the resolution at the conference was that ; Solidarity with the poor and afflicted the church shall stand in solidarity with the poor communities by sharing information and education in order to empower them.  In appreciating  that mining has contributed to the development of societies and industries and recognising that mining contributes to job and wealth creation of the country,  the conference participants however challenged the mining sector to begin to practice responsible mining that take into account the needs of the environment and the affected communities and that mining companies should put in place actions that go a long way in reclaiming land that has been used for extracting minerals so that it can be re-used for other purposes.
On terms of mining concessions and agreements, they demand that there be transparency and accountability starting from the affected communities to the policy makers saying Government, Traditional leaders and mining companies should lead the way in promoting transparency and further appealed to relevant institutions such as Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to exercise its mandate and provide information to those affected, especially displaced communities as a result of mining.
And the participants have pledged commitment to the promotion of conservation, regenerative and organic farming which allow the earth to regenerate noting it’s the best way of caring for our common home.
The participants further noted that although large scale agriculture is necessary for increased production of food to achieve food and nutrition security, it must be responsive to the needs of the environment and care must be taken to promote biodiversity in their practices and methodologies.
The conference held at the News Government Complex from 25^th to 26^th April, 2016 was attended by Catholic Bishops, Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA)’s Justice and Peace Department, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Mining companies representatives, Government Officials, Zambian Civil Society Organisation (CSOs), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Catholic Commission for Development (CCD) in Zambia, the clergy, the Religious, Business Executives, academicians, and the lay faithful from Catholic dioceses in Zambia.
Other were His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Turkson, the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who is representing the Holy See; the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Julio Murati, and two Zambian Chiefs.

SOURCE: ZEC, Communication department