Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, says the government is interested in seeing communities benefit from the resource endowment in respective chiefdoms.
Mr Sikumba notes that communities will fully benefit from the natural resources if they are protected and well managed.
He indicates that the prudent management of natural resources will enhance economic development and help in alleviating poverty at community level.
Mr Sikumba said this when he launched the National Community Based Natural Resources Management Policy and its implementation plan.
He explained that the Policy was developed to provide a policy framework to guide in the management of community-based natural resources.
Mr Sikumba expressed optimism that the Policy will enhance the management of natural-based resources for the greater benefit of the local communities and contribute to economic development.
Meanwhile, USAID Mission Director, Peter Weibler, said there is need to actualise the implementation of the policy if communities are to benefit from it.
Mr Weibler said the impact of the policy will be fully appreciated by the community if all concerned stakeholders played an active role in its implementation.
He noted that the policy aims at protecting natural resources and alleviating poverty in communities.
Earlier, the Minister handed over ten Land Cruiser vehicles to the Department Of National and Wildlife (DNPW).
Mr Sikumba implored the department to use the vehicles to respond to human and animal conflict cases.
He stressed the need for the department to respond fast to reports of human animal conflict so as to avert deaths.
Mr Sikumba further urged the Department of National and Wildlife to guard the vehicles jealously and use them for their intended purpose.
And in receiving the vehicles, Director Dominic Chiinda assured the Minister of putting the vehicles to good use.
Mr Chiinda, however, expressed concern with the increased cases of human animal conflict in the country.
He further indicated that cases of human-animal conflict are expected to increase following the drought that hit most parts of the country as animals and humans compete for limited water resources and food.