Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela says there is need for concerted efforts in curbing illegal timber business in the region.
Mangimela said illegal timber harvesting does not only disadvantage Government but also affects the concession license holders.
He said it is everyone’s duty to protect the timber industry.
Mangimela said this in Zambezi District when he met timber concession license holders to understand their operations.
He said traditional leaders must also come on board to assist in sensitizing people on the dangers of illegal timber harvesting.
Mangimela encouraged the timber concession license holders to plough back into communities where they are doing business.
And provincial Principal Forestry Officer Maxwell Phiri said the province has 20 timber concession license holders who are involved in timber business.
Phiri however said the province has witnessed a high number of people getting involved in illegal timber business because Government has not advertised new concessions especially in Manyinga, Kabompo and Zambezi districts.
Meanwhile, Chief Ishima, who is also a timber concession license holder, pledged to support government in curbing illegal timber harvesting in Zambezi district.
Timber concession license holders appealed to government to help control the timber pricing, saying they are being exploited.
ZANIS.
