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 25th to 26th 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