To Investigate the Factors affecting the Enforcement of Deforestation Measures in Zambia: The Case Study of Chipata District in Eastern Province

Abstract

The study investigated the factors affecting the enforcement of deforestation measures in Zambia, with a focus on Chipata District in the Eastern Province. Despite the presence of regulatory frameworks such as the Forest Act of 2015 and the National Forest Policy, enforcement was found to be weak, hindered by challenges such as limited financial resources, inadequate manpower, corruption, and governance inefficiencies. These enforcement gaps were observed to exacerbate environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and climate change impacts, while threatening rural livelihoods reliant on forest resources. The research employed a mixed-methods approach to evaluate and rank enforcement efforts and strategies. Governance and compliance were ranked as the weakest areas, followed by resource availability and monitoring capacity. Strategies for improving enforcement were also ranked, with resource allocation and capacity building identified as the most critical priorities, followed by the use of technology for monitoring, strengthening legal frameworks, and increasing community participation. Public awareness campaigns and inter-agency collaboration were highlighted as important but underutilized tools in enhancing enforcement. The study concluded that holistic and multi-faceted approaches are essential for effective deforestation management. It provided actionable recommendations for strengthening governance structures, improving resource allocation, and fostering stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable forest management. These findings offer valuable insights for addressing deforestation challenges in Zambia and similar contexts globally. Keywords: deforestation, enforcement challenges, governance, community participation, Zambia, resource allocation, monitoring capacity, legal frameworks, climate change, environmental degradation