Zambia has received funding from the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) meant to help the southern African country develop a comprehensive forestry research master plan, the Zambian News and Information Service (ZANIS) reported on Thursday.

 Minister in charge of tourism, environment and natural resources Teddy Kasonso said in Lusaka during the launch of a second phase of the country's forestry program facility that the United Nations (UN) body has given Zambia 200, 000 US dollars for the project.

 The second phase of the project will involve undertaking studies in production of a biennial compendium of forestry statistics and developing methodologies for accessing and using forests by local communities and private sector organizations for carbon trading, ZANIS said.

 He said to achieve sustainable forest management, there is need for close collaboration with various partners, adding that economic development could not be addressed by the government alone.

 The second phase of the national forestry program facility runs from 2009 to 2010.

Zambian forests are under threat from excessive cutting by locals who make charcoal as a source of energy for the majority of both urban and rural people who cannot access electricity.