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Sustainable natural resource management is
important as it contributes positively to national
economic development and environmental
protection. The development and implementation
of sector programmes as discussed in Chapter
3 indicates that efforts are already underway at
various levels of government to improve national
environmental management. In promoting
environmental management, it is important to:
• Provide a human face to environmental issues;
• Empower people to become active agents of
sustainable and equitable development;
• Promote the understanding that communities
are pivotal to changing attitudes towards
environmental issues; and,
• Advocate for partnerships that ensure that all
enjoy a clean and healthy environment and a
more prosperous future.
Conclusion
The Zambian government recognises the need to
strengthen the capacities of various stakeholders to
participate actively in environmental management.
Therefore, knowledge, reflection and action about
the environment have become necessary pre-
conditions for thoughtful action in dealing with
issues of sustainable development.
The Atlas of Zambia’s Changing Environment has
addressed these needs by providing documented
environmental changes that have occurred across
Zambia as well as identifying their causes. The
Atlas has attempted to convey the urgency of
addressing these issues and has provided a list of
key findings and recommendations to help guide
these efforts.