Muchinga water pollution irks PS

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya has expressed deep concern over the alarming levels of water pollution affecting critical water bodies in Mpika District. Dr Bwalya noted that the environmental degradation is primarily driven by illicit and unregulated mining operations taking place within the area. The unchecked expansion of small-scale mining ventures has led to toxic sediments and hazardous processing chemicals finding their way into local rivers, sparking widespread anxiety among traditional leaders, environmentalists, and ordinary residents alike. The ongoing crisis has severely compromised key water sources such as the Munenshi and Kanchibiya rivers, which serve as essential lifelines for hundreds of households, farmers, and livestock keepers across Muchinga Province. Local communities have reported a noticeable discoloration of water streams, accompanied by an increase in waterborne ailments and a sharp decline in aquatic biodiversity. Conservationists warn that if left unchecked, the continued discharge of heavy metals and processing reagents will cause irreversible damage to the fragile ecosystems of the region, endangering both human health and regional wildlife. In response to mounting pressure, provincial authorities and regulatory bodies, including the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA), have ramped up inspections and water sampling exercises. Government officials have stressed that while small-scale mining remains an important economic driver for youth employment, it must be conducted within the confines of the law. Authorities are urging informal miners to utilize official formalization channels and acquire requisite licenses to ensure operational transparency and environmental compliance. Traditional leaders in Mpika have equally added their voices to the condemnation, declaring that reckless exploitation of natural resources at the expense of community survival wi