REPORT ON THE ZAMBIAN FORESTRY STATISTICS

by
C. M. Taulo and J. Mulombwa
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Forestry Department, Zambia

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The country

Zambia is a landlocked Central African country lying between latitudes 8^oS and 18^oS, and between longitudes 22^oE and 34^oE. It shares borders with Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The total surface area of the country is about 752, 614 km² most of which is plateau between 1,000 and 1,600 metres above sea level. 9% of this area is gazetted forest estate.

The country has a sub-tropical climate, with a warm wet season from mid November to April, a cool dry season from May to August and a hot dry season from September to mid-November. The average annual rainfall decreases from about 1,300 mm in the north-west to about 800 mm in the south-west.

The greater part of the country is covered by the deciduous woodland often referred to as the "Miombo". The structure and composition of this vegetation varies in soil quality, rainfall and treatment. It ranges from tree grassland in the lower and drier areas to what is almost dry deciduous forest in the areas of high rainfall and deep soils. Much of this is not within reach of the consumption centres, and, the slow growth and low volume production of the woodlands together with the intractable nature of their timber render them unsuitable as providers of purpose timbers.

According to the 1994 estimates, Zambia's human population stands at 9.3 million with a growth rate of 3.5% per annum. This means that, at the moment, the country's population density is about 10.4 persons per square kilometre.

1.2. The economy

The Zambian economy which was solely based on the copper production and export has suffered from lack of real economic growth. According to the available information on the economic growth of the country, the real Gross Domestic Product fell 2.5% in 1992, by 3.1% in 1994, and by 4.3% in 1995 (ZFAP, 1997). The economy of Zambia is heavily depended on the copper earnings which account for about 90% of export earnings and contributes about 50% to government revenue.

With the depression of the copper industry and lack of an alternative industry, the Government attempted to maintain the standard of living of relatively privileged urban residents by strengthening regulations, by intervening in the economy and tightening the control over farm villages. The Government's policy was to subsidise the maize (staple food) price and to set up a uniform producer's price for the entire country. This was an excessively heavy burden on the Government, bringing about a budget deficit and the deepening of aid dependency.

As a result, the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) aimed at decreasing such government regulations and interventions was ushered into the Zambian economy. A strong power base was needed to promote the structural adjustment.

Zambia's debt was incurred when the inflation rate became higher than the interest rate. Conditions have changed and Zambia is caught in a trap. Zambia's bilateral Paris Club debt was US$ 3.2 billion, its multilateral debt to the IMF, World Bank and others was US$ 3.2 billion in 1997 (Zambia's Business Magazine, No. 7/2, July 1998 ). A certain amount of debt forgiveness may be appropriate, but it is likely to materialise only if the Government takes genuine measures to facilitate the stability of the local industries.

1.3. The economic position of forestry and forest products industry

In considering the general economic conditions of Zambia in terms of GDP, the forestry sector generated US$ 26.2 million, on average, per year over a five year period (1989-1993), representing 0.9% of the country's GDP. The forest product industry is included in the miscellaneous sector of the manufacturing industry, and the figures, unfortunately, are not available. During the same period, this industry contributed US$ 395.7 million, accounting for 13.5% of the country's GDP.

1.4. Social and human context for forestry

Forests and forestry are very important factors in the socio-economic well being of the people Zambia. The forests are valuable in many ways, they provide shelter, food and medicines and woodfuel which is the main source of domestic energy for the majority of the Zambian people.

Forests also play a very important role in the creation of the employment opportunities, thus contributing to the income generation and the uplifting of the living standards of Zambians.

2. FOREST RESOURCES

2.1. Land ownership

Ownership of all land in Zambia is vested in the President of the Republic who holds it in perpetuity for and on behalf of the people of Zambia. For the purpose of administration, the land is divided into state land and customary or traditional land.

State land is administered by the Commissioner of Lands, and is largely used for development work such as the urban settlements, mineral exploration and commercial farming. Customary land is administered by the traditional rulers and is used by individuals or families in rural communities. State land covers about 3.5% of the total land and customary land covers about 96.5%.

Land holding in state land is based on renewal leasehold titles up to 99 years. In the customary land, an individual who has been allocated land by the traditional ruler returns ownership by cultivation, which includes fallow, and may pass ownership to his or her descendants or relatives. Under the customary tenure, land is not sold but, can be inherited though it is now possible to convert customary tenure into lease hold with the approval of the chief or local authorities.

2.2. Land use

The major land use systems in Zambia are outlined as follows:

Land use Extent (million hectares) Sub Area Total

Forests
Forest reserves	7.2
National parks	6.4
Game management areas	15.6
Forests in open areas	15.4
Total Forest Area	44.6
Agriculture	15.1
Councils and Settlements	7.2
Swamps and Grassland	7.5
Water	0.8
TOTAL	75.2

SOURCE: Alajarvi , 1996.

Due to high population growth demand for more agricultural and settlement land is on the increase. Consequently, land under settlement and particularly under agriculture is rapidly increasing while that under forests is declining. Forest reserves in which, by law, settlements are prohibited, are being encroached and squatted..

2.3. Natural forest resources

Area: About 80% of the country is potential forest and woodland, but 20% has been converted to agriculture (MENR, 1994). The vegetation has been divided into four groups: closed forests, open forests or woodland, anthill vegetation and grassland.

Closed forests: On the basis of species composition and dominance, the closed forests, which are two or three stories are classified into the following categories:

Parinari forests;

Marquesia forests;

Cryptosepalum forests;

Baikia forests;

Itigi forests;

Montane forests;

Swamp forests; and

Riparian forests.

Open forests or woodland: These are forests with less under wood or vegetation growth. These too, are subdivided into different types according to species composition and dominance. The main open forest type is the miombo woodland, which accounts for about 47% (or 35.34 million hectares) and is characterised by the Brachystegia, Isoberlina and Jubernardia species ( Sekeli, 1997). Others are the Kalahari, Mopane, Munga, and Chipya .

Anthill vegetation: This occurs on the termite mounds and are found in different vegetation types. The common species found in the anthill vegetation are Boscia, Strychnos, Diospyros and Sterculia.

Grassland: This is land which naturally has no trees and found in places with permanently high water table. Loudetia simplex is the most characteristic grass (Chidumayo, 1995). It includes bamboo, flood plains and swamps.

Table 5: Distribution of Land Cover Types in Zambia

land cover type	area ( km2 )
Forest Dry evergreen	16, 060
Deciduous	6,830
Montane	40
Swamps	1,530
Riparian	810
Plantation	500
Chipya	15,560
Thicket	1,900
Miombo Woodland Wet	191,840
Dry	119,620
Kalahari	85,460
Savannah Woodland Mopane	38,700
Munga	32,600
Termitaria	24,260
Grassland Wetland	130,030
Dambo	76,320
Open Water	10,500
TOTAL	752,560

Source : Chidumayo, 1995

Volume: Reliable national wide information on the growing stock and growth levels does not exist (Alajarvi, 1996). Since the first forest inventory, covering the whole country, was conducted in the 1960s, there has been no detailed forest inventory to determine or to asses the quantity and quality of the country's forest resources. Estimates of the forest cover, growing stock and stocking are based on limited local level inventories and assumptions of changes over the past years.

The current estimates of the growing stock at are about 4,900 million cubic metres of cordwood, and the stocking density of about 75 m³ per hectare of stem wood.

Table 6: Estimated Growing Stock Volume

province	stocking (m3 / ha)	growing stock( million m3 )
Central	82.88	176.03
Copperbelt	154.00	657.20
Eastern	84.98	344.65
Luapula	41.16	112.46
Lusaka	48.58	117.78
Northern	40.32	173.10
North Western	154.28	1,830.41
Southern	64.68	234.38
Western	144.20	1,263.43
TOTAL		4,909.44

Source : Alajarvi , 1996.

Change of area and volume over time: Accurate information on the area and volume changes of the forest resources is lacking. Calculations and estimates of the changes are based on the 1965 inventory that indicated that a total forest area of about 61.2 million hectares, representing 81% of the country's total land area.

Estimates of the woodland in 1986 by FAO, by Woodroofe, was 58.194 million hectares indicating a loss of about 3 million hectares over a period of three years. The estimates also put the annual loss of the forests at 0.5% which amounts to about 5.5% loss or 3.2 million hectares loss during the last 11 years, thus reducing further the forest area to about 54.997 million ha.

There are, however, some variations in the estimates of the annual loss of the forests, with other estimates indicating a much higher rate. These variations point to the fact that the actual situation is known.

2.4. Planted forest resources

The common plantation tree species in Zambia are the exotic species of Pinus kesiya, Pinus oocarpa and Eucalyptus grandis. Pines cover about 80% of the plantation area. Almost all the plantations are owned by the Government through the Forest Department and the Zambia Forestry and Forests Corporation (ZAFFICO). The rotation periods vary from 15 to 25 years.

Plantation area: Plantations are estimated to cover 60,000 hectares of which about 50,000 hectares are managed by ZAFFICO; 7,000 hectares by the Forest Department; and 3,000 hectares by the private sector.

Volume: According to Alajarvi (1996), the mean annual increment for the 25 year old Pine stand is about 14.4 m³ per hectare, while that of the Eucalyptus stand is about 18.6 m³ per hectare per annum. The stocking density for the Pine and Eucalyptus is about 280 m³ per hectare and 300 m³ per hectare, respectively.

Change of area and volume over time: Statistical information on the area and volume changes exist in scanty form. However, what is evident is that the plantation area is on the decline due to the unsustainable management practices. It is estimated that ZAFFICO is harvesting at the rate of about 350,000 m³ per year resulting in the clearing of 1,000 ha while carrying out the annual planting and replanting at the rate of 300 and 400 ha respectively. Similarly, the planting and replanting programme by the Forest Department is almost at a stand still, although harvesting from the old stock has continued.

3. FOREST PRODUCTS PRODUCTION, TRADE & CONSUMPTION

According to ZFAP (1997), the information regarding the forest products production, trade and consumption statistical data in the country is scanty. However, the 1997 scenario is as shown in the following table:

Table 7: Forest Products Production, Trade and Consumption

products	production	consumption
Round Wood	26,042,00	26,042,00
Indust. Round Wood (m3)	319,000	319,000
Sawn Wood (m3)	156,894	156,894
Paper and Paper Board (Tonnes)	3,900	3,900

3.1. Woodfuels and wood energy

Woodfuel in Zambia plays a major role in the national energy supply. Woodfuel in the form of firewood and charcoal is the principal source of energy in the country accounting for about 68% on average of the total energy supply. The sectoral pattern of the woodfuel consumption is dominated by households which consume 88%, and commerce and industry 9% (Chiwele, 1998).

Charcoal is the preferred form of wood energy among the urban households, and serves mainly as a source of income for the rural households. Firewood use on the other hand predominates in the rural areas. Woodfuel use in the households include cooking, heating and lighting.

Industrial uses of woodfuel include smelting of copper in the mining industry, beer brewing, tobacco curing and fish preservation. Charcoal is also used in the copper refineries as a reducing agent (Chidumayo, 1988) .

Table 15: Energy consumption by source (TOE)

Year	Petroleum Products	%	Electricity	%	Coal	%	Woodfuel	%	Total
1986	505,000	12	553,300	13	338,800	8	2,879,082	67	4, 276,182
1987	545,000	13	560,400	13	286,800	6	2,922,800	68	4,314,660
1988	564,400	13	610,000	14	326,700	7	2,855,033	66	4,356,133
1989	698,200	16	524,500	12	304,300	7	2,914,905	66	4,441,905
1990	590,245	13	567,112	13	243,474	6	2,981,570	68	4,382,401
1991	631,374	14	517,317	12	239,457	5	3,063,053	69	4,451,202
1992	628,726	14	529,432	12	233,691	5	3,135,717	69	4,527,566
1993	514,685	11	545,785	12	229,546	5	3,210,457	71	4,500,473
1994	543,032	12	650,914	14	112,100	2	3,289,473	72	4,595,518
1995	572,883	12	635,279	14	95,502	2	3,367,086	72	4,670,750
1996	565,402	12	567,107	12	239,400	4	3,449,552	72	4,821,461

Source: Chiwele, 1998

3.2. Wood supply from non forest areas

Trees in non-forest land-use areas or outside forests are estimated to cover an area of about 15.8 million hectares according to Alajarvi, and have an estimated stocking of 5 cubic metres per hectare. Estimated growing stock at the 1996 levels was 81 million cubic metres.

Table 16 : Growing Stock by land Category in 1996 (Million M³)

provinces	FR	FOA	GMA	NP	TOF
Central Copperbelt	49.74	0.17	115.83	0.17	10.12
Copperbelt	81.46	441.92	15.37	115.10	3.35
Eastern	72.96	57.48	169.67	38.88	5.67
Luapula	16.10	27.41	8.22	50.47	10.26
Lusaka	1.53	79.13	19.40	15.87	1.86
Northern	45.91	21.32	72.45	17.47	15.95
North Western	377.09	781.96	523.65	139.42	8.31
Southern	43.96	39.42	77.48	63.46	10.07
Western	90.21	298.63	748.55	110.63	15.41
TOTAL	778.96	1,747.44	1,750.61	551.44	80.99

Source: Alajarvi, 1996

FR = Forest Reserves, FOA = Forests in Open Areas , GMA = Game Management Areas

NP = National Parks , TOF = Trees Outside Forest.

3.3. Non-wood forest products

Forests in Zambia produce or maintain a variety of non-wood products. The products are usually hunted for subsistence by the rural communities, although trade in these products is increasingly becoming wide spread. Non-wood forest products in Zambia's forests include: honey, mushrooms, insects, fruits, leaves, roots, fodder, grass, medicines and bush meat.

Collection of the non-wood forest products sometimes tends to have some negative impact on the forest ecosystem. Trees, for example, are cut down by the honey hunters to collect honey or are debarked by the traditional bee-keepers to make bark hives. Trees are also quite often cut down by the caterpillar collectors as an easy way of collecting caterpillars. Game hunters, especially poachers, are also in the habit of setting fire to the forests so that they could improve visibility.

3.4. Recreation and tourism

Game viewing, which is concentrated in the national parks and game management areas, is the main tourist attraction in the country. There are 19 national parks and 22 game management areas which together cover an area of about 22 million ha. Miombo woodland is the most extensive vegetation type in the national parks and game management areas (Chidumayo, 1995). Forests, therefore, both as a habitat for wildlife and as a landscape, play an essential role in recreation and tourism.

3.5. Recycling and other re-use of fibre

Information regarding the recycling and other re-use of the fibre materials is not readily available in the country, although some recycling of paper is done by the Zambezi Paper Mill.

4. FORESTRY POLICIES, LEGISLATION, AND INSTITUTIONS

4.1. Forest management, law and policy

Until July 1998, the forestry sector was guided by a forest policy that was formulated and adopted in 1965. This policy was heavily criticised and blamed for the poor performance of the forestry sector as it tended to exclude other stakeholders from forest management and development , and to concentrate the responsibilities in the hands of one institution (Forest Department) .

The new forestry policy which came into force in July 1998, encourages the participatory Joint Forest Management system with active involvement of the local communities and other stakeholders in the protection , management and utilisation of forest resources.

Preparations for the new forestry legislation have also reached an advanced stage, and it is expected that before the end this year (1998), a new forestry act will be in place to facilitate the implementation of the new forestry policy. At the time of writing this report, the Forests Act of 1973 was still in force. This law recognises the Forest Department as the only institution to manage and control the utilisation of the forests resources in the country.

4.2. Private sector

The new forestry policy states that most commercial activities in forestry can be better handled by the private sector while the Government creates an enabling environment for private sector participation. Areas of intervention by the private sector include plantation establishment, management and utilisation of forest resources, harvesting and marketing of forest products and development of forestry industries and small scale enterprises.

4.3. Public sector

The role of the public sector (Government), represented by the MENR will be to formulate and review the forestry policy and legislation, co-ordinate their implementation and ensure enforcement of rules and regulations pertaining to forestry development.

4.4. Investment in forestry and forestry products

Investment in forestry over the years has been minimal and the contribution of the forestry sector to GDP is reported to be only 0.9%. Many observers, however, say that this is an under estimate since it does not include forest products traded in the informal sector, and production by wood-based industries which is grouped under the general manufacturing sector ( Tables 2 , 8 to 14 ).

4.5. Institutional strengthening and capacity building

The Forestry Department is the only institution at the moment which has the overall field responsibility of managing and controlling the utilisation of the country's forest resources. But the resources at its disposal are significantly inadequate. Because of this, the Department has not been able to manage the forest resources professionally or fulfil its technical functions. In an effort to revitalise the forestry sector, the Government has taken a number of actions. These include restructuring the Forest Department, review of the forest policy and legislation.

4.6. Environmental issues.

The main environmental issues in Zambia include: deforestation and forest degradation, soil erosion and fertility loss, land degradation in watershed areas, and loss of Biodiversity. Others are air pollution, water pollution, wildlife and fish depletion. The annual rate of deforestation in Zambia is estimated to be between 250,000 and 300,000 ha. This figure has not been current for a long time and does not take into account the increasing population and the resulting increase in the consumption of forest resources and the demand on forest land. The actual deforestation rate may, therefore, be higher than this.

4.7. Sustainable forest management

Due to lack of detailed inventory data and inadequate resources, forest management in Zambia currently is not based on sustainable practises. The only management activity at the moment is control of forest exploitation through licensing. Minimum and maximum extractable volumes per month, and minimum exploitable diameter are fixed for all commercial licences. But even this is not working effectively due to difficulties in monitoring the activities of the licence holders.

4.8. Biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability

Conservation of the biological diversity and the ecosystems in Zambia date back to the 1930s when the first Government agencies mandated to conserve and manage biodiversity were established (MENR, 1997). The purpose was to protect and maintain the biological diversity for both faunal and floral species while providing a sustainable flow of benefits. The two actors in biodiversity consumption the Forest Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Biodiversity and ecosystem management has suffered, declining due to increased exploitation and reduced management capacity. The 1995 SADC report quoted by the MENR (1997) indicates that 10 species of mammals, 10 species of birds, 2 species of reptiles, and 7 taxa of plants are classified as endangered.

The challenge for the nation, therefore, in biodiversity sustainability is to halt the decline in the species population.

4.9. Soil and water conservation

Zambia's forest cover plays an important role in soil and water conservation because its influence on water run-off and soil stability. A number of forest reserves have been established in hilly areas and areas of shallow soils to prevent soil erosion. Others have been established in main catchment areas for the purpose of maintaining water sources and the flow of rivers. The rampant forest destruction, however, has not spared such protection forests, and the problem of soil erosion is evident in many areas. Drying up of streams and rivers due to siltation is also very common and this is causing local shortages of water.

4.10. Indigenous people's issues

Issues of indigenous people in Zambia mainly revolve around the livelihood systems. Zambia at the moment is in difficult economic times and poverty among the people is wide spread. It is estimated that 76% of the people live below the poverty line (Mukumbuta, 1998). People are, therefore, more concerned about issues that pertain to means of survival and enhancing household food security. These include food, energy and housing. Other issues of serious concern by the indigenous people are the declining and deteriorating social services, and the unemployment.

4.11. Energy

Wood in Zambia is the principal source of energy for most of the indigenous people. 88% of households (Chiwele, 1998) depend on woodfuel for domestic energy. Demand and supply of wood energy for the increasing population is, therefore, a critical issue. In heavily populated areas, woodfuel deficit is experienced, and people, especially women, are walking long distances in search of firewood.

Issues pertaining to food and woodfuel production are particularly having a negative impact on the forest resources as more and more people turn to forest land in order to make a living. More forest land is cleared each year for food production or for charcoal production which is increasingly becoming a source of income for many people especially in the rural areas.

4.12. The outlook for forest resources

It is generally observed that Zambia still has good amounts of the forest resources, although accurate information on the extent of the resource is lacking. It is also generally observed and agreed that the resource is under serious threat mainly from the expanding agricultural and indiscriminate cutting for timber and woodfuel. Two scenarios have been used to give future outlook of the forest resource situation in the country using various assumptions on the factors. That is, the current trends in wood demand and supply, and the ZFAP scenario.

Table 17a : Annual Demand of Wood by Periods (in Million M³)

	1996	2001	2006	2011	2016
Households	19.4	22.1	25.1	28.6	32.5
Industry	3.1	3.6	4.3	5.1	6.1
TOTAL	22.5	25.7	29.4	33.7	38.6

Source : Alajarvi, 1996.

Table 17b : Annual Demand of Wood by Periods (ZFAP Scenario) (in Million M³)

	1996	2001	2006	2011	2016
Households	19.4	21.8	24.1	26.6	29.4
Industry	3.1	3.6	4.3	5.1	6.1
TOTAL	22.5	25.4	28.4	31.7	35.5

Source: Alajarvi, 1996

This scenario indicates substantial increase in demand for wood if the current trends continue.

The objective under the ZFAP scenario is to limit consumption through various interventions, i.e. increasing charcoal production efficiency by 8%, and reducing consumption of wood by 20%.

Table 18a: Cordwood Supply (Current Trends), Growth in Million M³ / Annum.

	1996	2001	2006	2011	2016
Forests in open areas	16.7	15.3	14.0	12.8	11.6
Forest reserves ( without plantations )	11.4	11.3	11.3	11.2	11.1
Plantations	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8
Game Management Areas	16.6	16.6	16.6	16.6	16.6
Trees outside Forests	1.6	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.3
National Parks	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
TOTAL	48.3	46.7	45.3	43.9	42.5

Source: Alajarvi, 1996

The 1996 cordwood supply level of 48.3 million cubic metres is expected to decrease to 42.5 million cubic metres in the year 2016 under the current trends due to deforestation, degradation and lack of management.

Table 18b : Cordwood Supply By Periods (ZFAP Scenario), growth in Million M³/Annum.

	1996	2001	2006	2011	2016
Forests in open areas	16.7	17.4	18.7	20.5	22.7
Forest Reserves(without plantations)	11.4	12.6	14.0	15.6	17.3
Plantations	0.9	1.0	1.1	1.2	1.4
Game Management Areas	16.6	16.6	16.6	16.6	16.6
Trees Outside Forests	1.6	1.7	1.8	2.0	2.1
National Parks	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
TOTAL	48.3	50.4	53.3	57.0	61.3

Source: Alajarvi, 1996

Under this scenario, the annual cordwood supply is expected to increase to 61.3 million cubic metres by 2016 because of intensified management activities.

4.13. Wood supply and demand balance

The balance of supply was estimated separately in production forests(Forest Reserves and Forests in Open Areas) and other tree producing areas(Trees Outside the Forest), and then for protected forests (Game Management Areas and National Parks). The first production of wood was considered feasible and the second not sustainable in the long term (as it comes from conservation areas). The balance of this two cases is presented as follows:

Table 19a : Annual Cordwood Supply & Balance (Current Trends) in Million M³/Annum.

	1996	2001	2005	2011	2016
Supply From Production Areas	30.6	29.0	27.5	26.2	24.8
Supply From Protected Areas	17.7	17.7	17.7	17.7	17.7
Demand	22.5	25.7	29.4	33.7	38.6
Balance Not Sustainable	25.8	21.0	15.8	10.2	3.9
Balance Sustainable	8.1	3.3	- 1.9	-7.5	-13.8

Source : Alajarvi, 1996

Table 19b : Annual Cordwood Supply and Balance (ZFAP Scenario) in Million M³ / Annum.

	1996	2001	2006	2011	2016
Supply From Production Areas	30.6	32.7	35.6	39.3	43.5
Supply From Protected Areas	17.7	17.7	17.7	17.7	17.7
Demand	22.5	25.4	28.4	31.7	35.5
Balance Not Sustainable	25.8	25.0	24.9	25.3	25.7
Balance Sustainable	8.1	7.3	7.2	7.5	8.0

Source : Alajarvi, 1996

5. CONCLUSION

It is generally observed that Zambia still has sufficient indigenous forest resources which, if properly managed will greatly contribute to the socio- economic development of the country. But, the extent and condition of these forest resources are not accurately known due to lack of national detailed forest inventory. What is known about the country's forest resources is based on the inventories from the 1960s and the assumptions of that time.

It is also generally observed and agreed that forest resources in the country are facing serious threats of destruction mainly through clearing of the forest land for agriculture, and the uncontrolled wood harvesting for timber and woodfuel. However, there is no accurate information on the extent and rate of forest destruction as different estimates have arrived at conflicting figures.

The need, therefore, for the national wide forest inventory is urgent in order to facilitate the sustainable management of the forest resources. This will also help to guide the investment into the forest-based industries.

REFERENCES

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FAO (1991). Forestry Statistics Today For Tomorrow: Wood and Wood Products.

FAO ( 1989 ). FAO Year Book, Volume 43.

GRZ/IUCN (1985). The National Conservation Strategy For Zambia.

JICA (1996). The Forest Resources Management Study for the Zambia Teak Forests in the South Western Zambia.

MENR, (1998). Proposal for the Formation of the Zambia Forestry Commission.

MENR,( 1997). Challenges and opportunities for development, ZFAP document Volume 2.

MENR, (1994). The National Environmental Action Plan.

Mukumbuta B. N.(1998). Socio-economic survey of communities in Central, Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces.

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