Our Annual Friends Get Together will be on Thursday 5th September 7-9.30pm
Drop in or stay for the evening!
Where? The Klondyke 1 Burnage Range, Levenshulme Manchester M19 2HQ
Meet other Friends,
Hear the latest from Chibombo Peoples Climate Action
8pm - Watch the film the Ant and the Grasshopper
Bar
Please book now and spread the word;
Meanwhile in a quest to build climate resilient rural communities in Chibombo district, CPCA is continuously empowering community members in various ways.
Collection of indigenous tree seeds from the local forests.
CPCA promote planting of indigenous trees. They encourage the passionates (Household and schools link people) to identify trees that produce seeds.
Seed planting began in May. Indigenous and non-indigenous tree seeds are being planted continuously. Approximately, 8,000+ have already germinated. Germination rates are lower than expected because of low temperatures attributed to climate change. CPCA are hoping that rates will improve if it gets warm in July.
The photo shows germination of indigenous wild trees
Using bylaws for reforestation
There continue to be practices in the area which destroy the few existing trees. They include early burning of fields as well as small reserved forest areas, indiscriminate grazing of livestock, illegal charcoal burning and transportation of trees. CPCA have meetings with the local leaders on how best they can use the bylaws in order to speed up reforestation.
CPCA is a learning organisation which puts its learning into practice
A non-governmental organisation World Vision, which works in the Chibombo area has advised that certain species of plants which are at present bushes can be pruned into growing as trees. CPCA have put this new knowledge into action and report that ' though the action is in its infancy stage, the community response is better than expected.' An excellent example of practicing community managed natural resources.
Update on the Garden
The borehole is enabling them to grow crops in the current dry season. This will not only feed local people but potentially people in towns as well, which is so important given the terrible droughts this year. It also enables CPCA to develop more economic independence.
In May we reported that CPCA had planted 15000 tomato plants! The first tomatoes have been harvested. CPCA want to sell them in the Zambian capital, Lusaka and report that they have made a good start!
They now have 4,000 heads of cabbage growing as well. Their okra has not been faring well due to the extremely low temperatures during May and June
Though they are non-profit making, they want to grow other produce they can sell like lemons, oranges, pawpaws, avocados and others and are currently on the look out for the right seeds.
In order to do all this they are currently extending their garden and we have just sent them £640 to pay for fencing
The initiative by CPCA to promote the collection and planting of indigenous tree seeds from local forests is a commendable effort towards reforestation, particularly in the context of Zambia's current environmental challenges. With ongoing droughts and a serious electrical power supply crisis, many households have resorted to cutting down trees for charcoal as a source of energy, leading to severe deforestation. By encouraging households and schools to identify and plant indigenous trees, CPCA is playing a critical role in preserving local biodiversity, restoring forest cover, and mitigating climate change effects. The use of bylaws to curb destructive practices such as early burning, illegal charcoal production, and indiscriminate grazing further strengthens this reforestation drive, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.
The…