Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu has directed forestry officers in Southern province to evict people who illegally settled on government forest.

Speaking during an inspection of Ila forest in Namwala, Mr. Nzovu says encroachment of forest reserves cannot be ignored any further because it affects biodiversity.

Mr. Nzovu notes that the population of people is growing and if government does not act now to protect the environment, the forest will be destroyed.

By Rhodah Mvula