By HARBGUY MWAMBAZI –
THE suffocating, putrid odour of livestock droppings pervade the air and causes the house’s inhabitants to choke and gasp, the potent stench burns the nostrils of whoever smell it.
This is how the environment has been polluted by people keeping livestock at their back yards in the name of earning living while defying environmental concerns.
James Lungu of Lusaka’s Rhodespark complained of the unpleasant smell and noise that comes from the neighbours that are rearing chickens and goats.
Mr Lungu is not the only one who is exposed to this horrid situation as evidenced by number of households that are doing poultry business at their backyards as a means of survival.
One does not need to conduct an extensive research to know how many households are rearing livestock at their back yards because it is visible.
Apart from livestock, some households have gone to another extent of cultivating maize at their back yards which acts as the breeding ground for mosquitoes that causes malaria.
However, the question is whether the households are aware of the dangers of having such arrangements at the back of their yards and also that it is illegal to do so.
Some households said they are aware, but they have no choice as they have to make ends meet.
They also claim that it is difficult to acquire land to set a brood house or a small maize field.
Susan Mulishi of Libala South, who is not aware that it is illegal to rear animals or have a maize field at her back yard, says it is difficult to find a piece of land to conduct her business.
“I am not aware that it is illegal to do this business but it is not easy to find a place to trade from,” Ms Mulishi says.
But Lusaka City Council (LCC) public relations manager Habeenzu Mulunda says the rearing of chickens in residential areas is illegal and punishable if found wanting.
The Public Health Act Cap 295 section 67 of the laws of Zambia does not allow any individual to rear chickens at their residence.
“The Council has noticed the emerging trend of keeping poultry in residential environment by some residents which has turned out to be a nuisance or danger to health to the community due to the offensive odours and flies emanating from the untidy poultry yards,” Mr Mulonda said
The council says rearing peacocks, roosters, guinea fowls and turkeys in a residential environment is prohibited due to their vocalisation abilities.
The residents are therefore advised to comply with laws failure to the council would have no alternative but to prosecute the offenders.
However, Mr Mulunda, who could not say how many people have so far been prosecuted, said the matter has been handed over to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for further discussion and analysis.
Statutory Instrument No 44 of 2007 of the Local Government prohibits
keeping on premises any dirt, filth, refuse, or any matter likely to become offensive to neighbours.
Luanshya Municipal Council Public Relations Manager Gideon Thole said the council would soon start killing the livestock kept at residential area as well as cutting the maize before prosecuting the offenders.
“It has been brought to our attention that the rearing of goats pigs, sheep, cows, chickens is being done in some residential premises contrary to requirements of the law.
“Luanshya Municipal Council wishes to direct residents involved in the vice to remove all livestock: goats, pigs, sheep, cows, chickens from their premises within a specified period of time which will be announce to the public soon,” Mr Thole said.
Mr Thole said failure to remove the livestock from premises within the stipulated period of time would result in the council take action.
He said the Council is also reminding residents to desist from cultivating maize in residential areas, on roadsides and junctions.
“The presence of maize plants and other tall grass in open spaces around road junctions obstruct the flow of traffic and cause traffic accidents.
Maize growing in residential areas and other open spaces also creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests, which are a violation of the Extermination of Mosquitoes Act Cap 312 of the laws of Zambia.
Residents should instead grow crops such as vegetables, groundnuts and sweet potatoes while maize should be grown in other designated places away from residential areas.
However, it said that ignorance of the law is not the excuse for defence, therefore offenders should been made accountable for the offence in to avoid possible outbreaks and transmission of diseases and infections respectively.
Besides prosecuting offenders, the local authority should educate the masses on the dangers of keeping livestock both to the environment and human beings.
The councils should seek partnerships with environmentalists and Non Governmental Organisations involved in environmental conservation to forge ahead and help the community.