Africa-Press – Eswatini. Chiefs from the Manzini, Hhohho and Shiselweni regions have joined forces with government in an effort to curb forest destruction and improve wildfire prevention, as they take part in a three-day Forest Fire Management Workshop at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The workshop is being hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs with support from the World Bank, and is designed to equip traditional leaders with practical skills in fire prevention, environmental protection and sustainable forest management.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, said the programme is backed by funding of E7 Million, which will be used to train communities—particularly smallholder forestry farmers—on responsible land use and long-term forest conservation.
“This funding will enable us to educate the Swazi nation, especially those who depend on tree planting and forestry for their livelihoods, on sustainable forest management,” she said.
Beyond fire control, the project will also identify viable forest-based products that farmers can produce, assist them in accessing financial support, and provide training on domestic and international market opportunities. “Swazis will be given the chance to receive full training on how to access markets, both in neighbouring countries and overseas,” the Minister added.
Government is also in the process of developing a National Forests Act, intended to protect indigenous forests, encourage sustainable commercial production, create employment and reduce poverty. Mkhonta-Simelane urged Chiefs to take an active role in protecting natural trees, warning against the growing trend of illegal wood harvesting.
“We appeal to all Chiefs to work with their communities to ensure that natural trees are preserved, and not cut down or sold along the roadsides as firewood,” she said.
Eswatini is further collaborating with South Africa on a bilateral programme to improve wildfire management, with forestry experts from both countries working to prevent the annual fires that destroy plantations, wildlife habitats and homes.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to the Royal House, regional administrators and the World Bank for enabling the initiative. “This is an opportunity for Chiefs to lead their communities in safeguarding our forests and securing sustainable livelihoods for all Swazis,” she concluded.
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