Month: September 2024

By Zanji Sinkala, 2023 Environmental Crime Journalism fellow

 

The severe drought affecting much of Zambia has left a devastating impact, with over one million households across 84 out of 116 districts affected. Zambians facing food and water shortages, livestock suffering from a lack of water and pasture, and the country grappling with prolonged electricity blackouts due to reduced hydroelectric power generation.

Amidst the El Niño-induced drought that has depleted hydropower reservoirs, the charcoal business is thriving. Traders are capitalising on the desperation of people who are increasingly turning to charcoal as a last resort to light their homes and cook their meals.

“So, now I need to have three trucks coming into Lusaka from Mumbwa each week. I have a licence, so my business is legal,” remarked Trevor Njowe (pseudonym), a charcoal trader, confidently.

Njowe explained that he was granted permission by Chief Kaindu to cut trees within his chiefdom.

“Of course, that came with a price. Additionally, I pay the locals to cut the trees and process the charcoal. That’s how I get my supply,’ he added.

When asked if he ever faced police checkpoints along the Lusaka-Mumbwa road, Njowe acknowledged that he had, but insisted his business is legitimate.”

“I can admit that charcoal trading is expensive. Sometimes it is hard for us to pay for the cordwood permit and the conveyor permit. Because of that, we get stopped by the police, and that means we need to give them a ka amount just to let us pass. It works all the time,” he says.

Producers, unlike traders such as Njowe who simply purchase charcoal and sell it to customers, are the ones doing ‘the real work’—creating the charcoal that is sold.

When asked about their earnings from working with charcoal traders, former producers expressed frustration, stating that the rewards rarely came close to matching their effort.

The demanding process of charcoal production often left them ill and financially strained, leading many to feel they were being exploited. Samuel Matabula, a former charcoal producer, shared his personal experience in the industry.

“We were cutting 150 trees in order to have a 40 metre earth kiln (a mound of soil sealing tree logs gradually burning to produce charcoal). It would take six months to produce the charcoal from such a kiln, and we could get about 70 bags of charcoal which we were selling at maximum K90 to the traders. They would resell these bags in Lusaka at K400, sometimes even K450. That means, for us, we would earn K10,000 in six months. But for them, in the same period, they would earn at least K30,000,” Matabula recalls.

“So, we had to have a number of small kilns as well which would produce charcoal in a short period of time like two weeks. This is what would make us survive in the six months waiting for the big kiln to produce the charcoal.”

Oliver Sondashi, another former charcoal producer, describes how charcoal production was both a health risk and a waste of time. Although it initially seemed profitable, the detrimental effects on his health became overwhelming.

“When we worked on the kilns, we suffered from severe coughs lasting over three weeks, along with chest pains and body aches that took at least a month to recover from,” Sondashi recalled. “The health risks became too dangerous, especially with children to care for, and it wasn’t worth it anymore.”

Sondashi added: “That’s why when the A2C project by USAID arrived in Mumbwa and introduced alternative ways to earn a living without harming the environment, many of us decided to stop charcoal production.”

Since 2022, USAID’s Alternatives2Charcoal project in Zambia has focused on transitioning charcoal producers to alternative livelihoods to combat climate change and promote sustainable income sources. A key aspect of this initiative includes training law enforcement officers to enforce charcoal regulations and prevent illegal trade.

Over 750 government officials, including those from the forestry department and Zambia police services, have been trained on the Forest Act No. 4 of 2015, the National Forest Policy (2014), and related regulations. The training covers patrol techniques, communication skills, and conservation awareness, aimed at enhancing enforcement and sustainable forest management.

“A key success has been improved collaboration between the Zambia police and the forestry department in conducting roadblocks and patrols to identify and seize illegal charcoal; this in turn has resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles impounded, charcoal bags seized as well as convictions,” says Catherine Picard, Chief of Staff at USAID’s Alternatives2Charcoal project.

Despite these efforts, illegal charcoal trade along the Lusaka-Mumbwa road persists. Officers at the check points are reportedly demanding bribes ranging from K500 to K2,000 from traders in exchange for allowing their unauthorised transport to Zambia’s capital. A recent recording captured a conversation between an illegal trader and an officer at the checkpoint negotiating a bribe for the illegal passage of charcoal.

“Koma uziba ufunika kunkala na permit, […] so vuto ili pati? Parking’a pa road tikambe bwino (But you know that you need to have a permit, so where is the problem here? Park on the side of the road so we can speak properly),” said one officer at a checkpoint.

“… Ni K500, unless ufuna tiku chite impound? Ndiye pe uza ziba kuti ufunika kunkala na permit (It will cost you K500, unless you want your truck to be impounded? Perhaps that’s when you’ll realise the importance of a permit).”

When asked about the illegal transportation of charcoal, potentially with law enforcement involvement, Picard confirmed that 98% of the charcoal entering cities like Lusaka is unregulated and untaxed.

“Unfortunately, very little charcoal which enters Zambia’s major urban areas, such as Lusaka, is legal. More specifically, estimates are that less than 2% of charcoal is legally permitted, meaning 98% of charcoal is unregulated and untaxed. Compliance with permits/licenses could raise K2 billion per year,” said Picard.

“In addition to supporting improved enforcement, USAID A2C is also supporting the forestry department to educate community members about the permits required to fell trees and transport charcoal. Finally, USAID A2C is supporting communities to establish community forest management areas, which are areas of forest set aside to support sustainable livelihoods such as honey, wild fruits and mushrooms for market.”

In April 2024, the Zambian government halted the issuance of cordwood permits for charcoal production to address severe deforestation.

Former minister of green economy and environment, Hon. Collins Nzovu, granted traders with valid permits until May 1, 2024, to complete their charcoal production while the ministry assessed tree stock levels nationwide. Nzovu noted that the extensive deforestation was a major factor contributing to the severe drought in Zambia.

As dusk falls in Lusaka, residents flood out of Garden house market on Mumbwa Road, carrying heavy bags of charcoal, unaware of the ongoing issues surrounding the charcoal trade and production. Charcoal traders at the market smile and wave to their customers, awaiting the arrival of their next illegal consignments in the early hours, perpetuating the cycle.

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Zanji is a 2023 fellow under the Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) Environmental Crime Journalism fellowship for journalists. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, provided training in investigative journalism skills and supported journalists in working on impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.

By Jonas Miselo, 2023 Environmental Crime Journalism Fellow

 

Luena farm block, in Kawambwa district, Luapula Province in the north of Zambia, is facing a severe threat from both legal and illegal miners who masquerade as mineral prospectors in the area. These mining activities are causing extensive damage to agricultural land.

In addition to illegal mining, records from the ministry show that eight companies hold mining licenses in theblock. Seven of these are large exploration licences, and one is a small-scalemining licence. These licences were issued by the ministry of mines between 2019 and 2022.

Luapula Province is rich in manganese ore deposits along with various other minerals such as copper, iron, lime, gemstones, and gold.

Official statistics indicate that by the end of March 2017, the province had a total of 54 valid mining licences and 125 exploration licences, with applications increasing daily.

Currently, manganese mining dominates in the province, albeit at a small scale due to limited capital for mining operations.

The 1995 Land Act enabled the government to set aside land for the farm block development programme (FBDP). The dual goals of the FBDP are to facilitate agricultural land development and encourage private sector investment.

In Luapula, Luena farm block in Kawambwa was designated for this purpose, covering about 100,000 hectares of farm plots within a larger area of 186,235 hectares, incorporating settlements, wetlands, and buffer zones.

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The Chaos in Kawambwa

In Kawambwa, one of the eight districts in Luapula, the frantic rush by illegal miners in search of minerals is devastating agriculture, which is the lifeline for the local population.

Abraham Kasongo, a farmer from Luena agricultural camp, expressed his concerns about the impact of mining on the farming community.

“Mining in the farm block will not bring prosperity in the long run. It will destroy the land that should be used for farming,” he said.

“We are looking forward to development in the farm block. We want roads, electricity, and infrastructure that will help us feed the nation. Mining will only ruin the land,” Mr. Kasongo added.

He also pointed out that the mining activities in the farm block do not benefit the local population, as they are mostly carried out by individuals from other areas, such as townspeople and politicians.

Another farmer from the Luena agricultural camp, Justin Mwewa, echoed these sentiments, saying that mining should be stopped because it destroys the top soil necessary for farming, leaving behind craters that cannot be used for agriculture.

“In my view, farming is what will help us. We have good rainfall and fertile soil, so farming is what will develop this place. As you can see, ZAFFICO (Zambia forestry and forest industries corporation), Kawambwa tea, Green 2000, and even Kawambwa sugar are in the farm block. Mining here will not be beneficial to us,” Mr. Mwewa explained.

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Warning from the Ministry of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a warning that if this continues unchecked, mining activities in Luena farm block could lead to the extinction of agriculture in the area. Steven Musonda, the district agricultural coordinator for Kawambwa district has sounded the alarm.

He explained that farmers in the block are facing significant challenges. The roads, originally used for transporting maize, have been damaged by heavy trucks. Even the alternative routes created by farmers are affected.

“During the rainy season, it becomes exceedingly difficult for smaller vehicles to navigate through the area,” he said.

The situation is worsened by the lack of consensus among local leaders, including chiefs and government officials, to effectively halt illegal mining. As a result, little progress has been made towards resolving this issue.

With Zambia currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent years, Kawambwa could become crucial for agriculture, benefiting from relatively favourable rainfall due to its proximity to the Congo Basin.

“As Kawambwa we are receiving good rainfall, meaning that we have a duty to produce more food to feed people from areas where it is not raining. Now if the same land that is supposed to be used for cultivation is disturbed it means that all efforts are in vain,” Mr. Musonda explained.

It remains unclear how the ministry of mines and minerals development has been assigning coordinates for mineral exploration in an area designated for farming.

The ministry has yet to respond to press inquiries regarding this issue.

While the ministry of agriculture allocates land in the farm block to various investors for commercial farming purposes, conflict has arisen as some companies have also been granted land in the same area for mining activities, thus pitting agriculture against mining interests.

“To make matters worse, many of these mining operations are operating illegally, with some companies granted only prospecting licences but engaging in full-scale mining activities. This not only constitutes illegal operations but also leads to significant land degradation. Mining activities often occupy large areas, rendering them unusable for agriculture without extensive rehabilitation,” explained Obed Chanda, senior land husbandry officer at the ministry of agriculture in Luapula.

Kawambwa district commissioner Godfrey Chilambwe has urged an immediate halt to illegal mining in the farm block and emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order.

Mr. Chilambwe emphasised that the government is committed to developing the farm block and stressed the importance of stopping illegal mining activities in the area.

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Disregard for Government Regulations

According to government mining regulations, an exploration licence only permits the extraction of no more than 5kg of minerals for exploration purposes and laboratory analysis. However, it was discovered that exploration licence holders were engaged in actual mining, as evidenced by the observed huge trenches and pits, leading to massive environmental and land degradation in the area. This is further evidenced by the numerous trucks loaded with manganese, frequently observed moving from the mining sites within the farm block.

Data from a ministry of mines show that several companies hold exploration licences within the farm block, sparking concerns about the potential impact on the land. These companies include Happy Hillz Minerals Ltd, Yobe Gems Ltd, Ras Indo Mining Ltd, Pinak Resources Ltd, Glowmax Mining Ltd, Sreshta International Ltd, and Prango Investment Ltd, all operating under large exploration licences. Additionally, Stone Edge Mining Ltd holds a small-scale mining licence in the area.

During a recent site visit by this journalist, several issues were noted. Illegal mining was observed despite the holders only having exploration licences, with no trenching or exploration works visible.

Approximately 20 hectares of land has been degraded, making it unsuitable for agriculture. Workers are paid K100 – K150 per tonne for sorting manganese ore. The presence of huge trenches and unstable slopes poses landslide risks.

According to interviews with experts, most of the mining operations do not adhere to the Zambia environmental management agency (Zema) regulations and use improper methods for manganese extraction.

Poor pit geometry, the absence of proper benches and designated dumping sites, and the lack of sanitary facilities were observed.

There has been no response from Zema regarding their role in safeguarding the environment and ensuring that miners adhere to safe mining practices.

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Jonas Miselo is a 2023 fellow under the Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) Environmental Crime Journalism fellowship for journalists. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, provided training in investigative journalism skills and supported journalists in working on impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.

By Laida K Chongo, 2023 Environmental Crime Journalism Fellow

 

The illegal trade of pangolins is thriving despite efforts to clamp down on the trade. Pangolins are believed to be the most illegally trafficked mammal and the endangered animals are illegally hunted for food and traditional medicine.

The illegal trade of pangolins—poaching, trafficking, and sale of pangolins, their parts, or pangolin-derived products on the black market—is thriving. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN), pangolins are believed to be the world’s most trafficked mammal, accounting for as much as 20% of all illegal wildlife trade. In the decade leading up to 2014, more than a million pangolins were poached.

From 2013 to 2019, the scales of tens of thousands of pangolins were seized in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China alone, mostly from Africa. Based on these seizures, it’s estimated that a pangolin is poached every 17 minutes to supply the city’s illegal pangolin trade. Experts believe that the eight species will be extinct within 10-20 years if the current situation continues. This information is according to the Pangolin Reports.

In two record-breaking seizures within a week in April 2019, Singapore confiscated a 14.2-ton shipment and a 14-ton shipment of pangolin scales—from an estimated 72,000 pangolins—originating from Nigeria.

In Asia, pangolin meat is considered a delicacy, and their scales are used in traditional medicine, fetching huge sums on the black market. The US is another key market, with American customs officials seizing 30,000 illegally imported pangolins between 2005 and 2014 alone.

There are eight species of pangolins in the world, with four species in Asia and another four in Africa. 

The four species of African pangolin are dispersed throughout southern, western, central, and eastern Africa. An estimated 8.5 million pangolins were removed from the wild in west and central Africa for the illegal trade between 2014 and 2021.

Zambia is home to two of Africa’s four pangolin species: the white-bellied or tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) and the Temminck’s or ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii).

In Africa, it is alleged that many people use pangolins as treatment for various illnesses.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Dr. Suwilanji Sichone, who manages the Pangolin Rehabilitation Unit in Zambia, observed that pangolins have historically received little conservation attention. This changed with the initiation of the Protect the Pangolin project in 2018, following a series of live pangolin seizures in Zambia.

She explained that law enforcement officers initially didn’t know how to care for seized pangolins, which were often found in a weakened state. As a result, a rehabilitation unit was eventually established to look after them until they were fit enough to be released back into the wild.

When asked if conversations about protecting pangolins by the government and stakeholders are yielding results, Dr. Sichone narrated that public awareness about pangolins has increased. People are becoming more respectful and leaving them alone, especially since pangolins are solitary animals that live far from human habitations.

She added that seized pangolins are now receiving better treatment, as officers have gained knowledge on how to handle them. This means that by the time the pangolins reach the rehabilitation facility, they have been preserved and looked after properly, resulting in a higher chance of survival.

Dr. Jackson Katampi, a Wildlife Conservationist, lamented that cases of trafficking Pangolins in Zambia are quite rampant and we have hotspot areas that are urban driven such as Lusaka, Solwezi and Katete.

“What influences the trafficking of Pangolins is mostly the false information going round about how expensive Pangolins are, the traffickers believe that the animal costs thousands, so even when they find it in their fields, some don’t even know what to do with it but because of this information, they keep it and look for buyers which often lands them behind bars and there also some cases where traditional healers use it for charms,” he explained. 

He continued to say that no rich person has been found in Zambia as a result of selling pangolins, so there is need to demystify some myths about the animal.

The African problem

In Nigerian Yorubic traditional medicine, pangolins are believed to enable invisibility and are used to treat 42 conditions, including infertility, stomach ulcers, and removing bad luck.

A study involving 48 traditional healers in Kumasi, Ghana, revealed that 13 pangolin body parts are used to treat various ailments. The most commonly prescribed parts are scales and bones, which hold significant cultural importance for treating spiritual protection, rheumatism, financial rituals, and convulsions.

Despite being classified under Schedule 1 of Ghana’s Wildlife Conservation Act of 1971 (LI 685), which prohibits hunting or possessing pangolins, the use of pangolins in traditional medicine remains widespread. This information is according to a research article published by Plos One.

Godfrey Sichali in Chinsali, Zambia, who served for over two decades as park ranger, explained that pangolin scales are made of keratin, like human fingernails, and can regrow when cut. This has fuelled myths and driven the economic trade in pangolins.

The sentiments expressed by Mr. Sichali align with the findings from traditional medicine studies in Ghana.

“There are strong myths that people have believed for a long time. For instance, some believe that with a live pangolin and a good witch doctor, the witch doctor can use the pangolin to multiply money, leading to high demand for the animal,” he said.

Mr. Sichali highlighted that the government has placed strict measures to protect pangolins because they are close to extinction. He warned traffickers that using pangolins to ‘blast’ or multiply money, a practice known as the black dollar, is a myth that will only result in imprisonment without any economic gain. Pangolins are estimated to cost about $600 per kilogramme on the black market.

When asked about the major buyers of trafficked pangolins, Mr. Sichali said that from interactions with caught traffickers, it was established that Chinese nationals are the primary buyers.

In Nigeria, the problem is worsening

In Nigeria, in 2022, customs officials seized 1,613 tons of pangolin scales and arrested 14 people. Additionally, in October 2023, Nigeria publicly burned four tons of seized pangolin scales valued at US$1.4 million, marking the first such public destruction aimed at discouraging illegal trafficking.

Dr. Mark Ofua, a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, and Nigeria country representative for the Wild Africa Fund observed that the true extent of pangolin trafficking in Nigeria exceeds documented statistics. He said hunters and bushmeat sellers primarily gather pangolins for their scales, driven by lucrative offers from Chinese buyers.

“With the influx of Chinese buyers, the trade dynamics have dramatically worsened. Initially sought for their flesh, pangolin scales were discarded until Chinese buyers started offering substantial sums. Now, there’s intense focus on collecting and selling scales,” Dr. Ofua explained.

In a significant incident in 2016, Chinese customs conducted their largest-ever seizure of pangolin scales, confiscating 3.1 tons from smugglers. According to Chinese state media, these scales were concealed in a container labelled as timber arriving from Africa. Customs officers discovered the scales—equivalent to about 7,500 pangolins—packed in 101 woven plastic bags hidden aboard the ship, valued at over $2 million on the black market.

Dr. Ofua noted the challenge of monitoring large-scale trafficking, as Chinese buyers are now involved in local industries like logging and construction, facilitating covert scale transactions. Dr. Ofua emphasized that many pangolin scales trafficked in Nigeria originate from neighbouring states like Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Benin Republic.

“Traffickers exploit porous borders and limited surveillance technology, evading detection. The smuggling of pangolin scales is rampant, and we’re only scratching the surface of its magnitude,” he added.

Dr. Ofua highlighted the complicity of some traditional rulers in facilitating scale movements in northern states, despite efforts by Nigerian customs and organisations like the Wild Africa Fund to enhance enforcement with sniffer dogs. He emphasised that poverty is often cited as an excuse by traffickers caught with pangolins, but he views this as a cover for greed, not necessity.

A call for action

Maina Malaya, a Communications Officer at Wildlife Crime Prevention and part of the Protect the Pangolin Project, emphasised that enhancing law enforcement capabilities is crucial. She said this includes providing comprehensive training in anti-poaching techniques and equipping them with essential resources such as patrol vehicles, drones, and improved communication systems. 

Malaya asserts that these measures can significantly boost effectiveness in detecting, apprehending poachers, and swiftly delivering pangolins to rescue centers. Additionally, she stresses the importance of fostering stronger collaboration between Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), other law enforcement agencies, and customs officials. Improved information sharing and coordinated efforts are essential for effectively disrupting trafficking networks.

However, the situation in Zambia is further complicated by instances of law enforcement officers involved in illegal pangolin trade. For instance, in July 2018, the Lusaka Subordinate Court sentenced a Wildlife Police Officer from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and an Officer from the Zambia Police Service to five years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful possession of a live pangolin. 

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Laida Chongo is a 2023 fellow under the Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) Environmental Crime Journalism fellowship for journalists. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, provided training in investigative journalism skills and supported journalists in working on impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.