By IREEN MULENGA
People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) Vice President William Harrington salutes the late First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda for the great passion he had for environmental protection and prudent exploitation and utilization of Zambia’s natural resources.
” I had the honor and privilege to sign the book of condolences for the late First Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda at the funeral house on behalf of the People’s Alliance for Change Party (PAC), Party President Andyford Banda and indeed in my own behalf.
“Much has been mentioned about the life and attributes of the late President and is difficult to add anything more to the numerous praises and acknowledgements made by a cross-section of citizens,” he said.
Mr Harrington noted that an important aspect of Dr Kaunda’s life has been overlooked which is his passion for the protection of the environment and his love of nature, of wildlife, forests and biodiversity generally.
He said KK had a strong belief in prudent utilization of the country’s natural resources without which no sustainable development could take place in the country.
Mr Harrington Kaunda gazetted many forests in water source and water catchment areas so as to protect them from human encroachment because he appreciated the strategic importance of those forests areas.
“A case in point that comes to mind is the Lusaka East Local Forest Reserve No. 27. Very sadly, a major portion of this particular national forest has now been “privatized”. Many other forest reserves around the country have suffered the same fate.
“Prior to Zambia’s attainment of independence in 1964, there was no clear policy on environment. Kaunda soon passed legislation to provide for the establishment of the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ). However, a year after the new government of late Dr Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba was voted into office, Dr Chiluba sent a high-powered delegation to attend the 1992 Rio Earth Summit in Brazil. New legislation was subsequently passed to abolish the ECZ and provide for the establishment of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). This new legislation was necessary to enable Zambia cope with and address the new challenges associated with climate change, ”he said.
Mr Harrington said that Dr Kaunda used to spend his working holidays at nature resorts such as South Luangwa National Park and Kasaba Bay.
He says that PAC salutes the role that Dr Kaunda played in placing environment at the center of human socio-economic development.
