By Gertrude Muyaya

The ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources has called on stakeholders to help in the promotion of mass production and usage of alternative sources of energy rather than charcoal to ease pressure on trees and forests in the country as one way of fighting climate change.

Speaking to YFM, the ministry’s publicity officer, Gift Chimulu said a majority population in the country continues to depend on charcoal and firewood as their main sources of energy despite all the government’s effort to end the vice.

“Deforestation can easily be dealt with if there is stakeholder involvement in a long-term restoration agenda and implementation of the Forest Act which has been newly amended,” Chimulu said.

He further added that the ministry is still recommending the use of bamboo, briquettes and gas among others for cooking in place of charcoal as one way of minimizing impacts of climate change in the country.