The Wuparo Conservancy has launched a clean-up campaign at Sangwali Village in the Zambezi Region to promote environmental health, protect wildlife and boost tourism.

The initiative brought together the Ministry of Environment and lodge employees as well as learners.

"It's to show other people that the environment looks clean and beautiful, and just like we learn in natural science, we must show other people how to keep the environment clean," said learner Nanvula Lyonga. 

Stanley Mendai added, "I advise people to stop littering and stop hunting; this is our economy. Let us make our country a beautiful country."

Organisers plan to extend the clean-up campaign to neighbouring communities.

Nash Muwanei is a park warden at Nkasa Rupara National Park.

"When it comes to wildlife, if you don't have plastics lying around, those plastics will not harm the wildlife, and also when it comes to tourism, a clean environment is what attracts tourism."

Sangwali is home to Nkasa Rupara National Park - an important tourism destination. 

"All our clients come here; they see a lot of littering. Littering is an environmental problem. We don't look at wildlife conservation only, but we look at the environment in which we find ourselves," said the stressed chairperson of Wuparo Conservancy, Benedict Sauzuo.  

He pointed out that keeping village clean is essential to protecting its natural environment and preserving its appeal to tourists.

The organisers say they will engage the traditional authority to join the bandwagon in creating awareness ad encourage communities to take part in the initiative.