Hon. Sunday Chilufya Chanda, Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency, has urgently appealed to national authorities, regulatory agencies, and local stakeholders to address severe pollution in the Kanchibiya River in Zambia. This river is a critical resource for thousands in Muchinga Province.

The pollution, reportedly caused by upstream gold mining, is leading to toxic discharge and discoloration, threatening food security, livestock, health, and biodiversity. This environmental negligence linked to mineral extraction raises concerns about disregard for community welfare in pursuit of economic exploitation.

MP Chanda’s statement calls for accountability, environmental justice, and long-term sustainability. He demands multi-agency intervention, regulatory review, and the provision of safe water alternatives.

Chanda’s press statement highlights the deteriorating state of the river due to upstream gold mining activities. The Kanchibiya River is essential for bathing, drinking, livestock, gardening, and small-scale farming. Its degradation places communities at risk of waterborne diseases and threatens subsistence agriculture.

He insists that the pursuit of mineral wealth cannot come at the expense of human life, dignity, and the environment. He calls for stringent environmental oversight and community consultation for all mining operations. Chanda requests the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to investigate the pollution's source and take enforcement actions.

He also urges the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to review mining licenses within the river's watershed, and the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation to assess the impact on communities and provide safe water alternatives. He encourages all stakeholders, including traditional leadership and civil society, to advocate for natural resource protection.

As Member of Parliament, Chanda commits to protecting the district's environmental integrity and will raise the issue in parliamentary platforms to ensure accountability. He emphasizes that rivers should nourish life, not carry poison, and calls for swift action for current and future generations.