From Scars to Sustainability: How One Tree Is Reviving the Soul of a Nation

IN THE wake of mining's glittering promise lies a truth few dare to confront: shattered landscapes, poisoned soils, and communities left clinging to the ghosts of what once was fertile ground. 

But in Zambia, where the earth still whispers stories of abundance beneath layers of slag and sorrow, a quiet revolution is underway — and it’s taking root in the form of a tree.

Meet the Elite Pongamia pinnata — a tree so resilient, so versatile, and so powerful, it’s not just growing in the wastelands left behind by mining giants — it's transforming them into thriving ecosystems and economic engines.

At the helm of this botanical breakthrough is PHYLA Earth Zambia, formerly known as Betterworld Energy Ltd, a visionary organization founded by Dr. Benjamin Warr in 2013. With a bold mission to breathe life back into Zambia’s degraded mining lands, PHYLA is proving that restoration isn't just possible — it's profitable, sustainable, and essential.

A Tree like No Other

The Elite Pongamia isn’t just a plant — it’s a movement. Known in India for centuries as a source of medicinal oil, sustainable fuel, and even lamp light, this drought-tolerant legume is nature’s ultimate multi-tasker. It fixes nitrogen in the soil, stores carbon from the air, and produces a high-yield oil that can reduce our dependence on imported diesel.

In a pilot project that began in Chingola in partnership with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and MUSIKA Zambia, and backed by the Swedish government, this wonder tree has already begun to rewrite the story of Zambia’s post-mining future.

“It’s not just about reforestation — it's about re-imagining what these lands can be,” says Dr. Warr, standing amidst rows of thriving Pongamia trees in Chinyunyu, Chongwe District, where the first Elite Pongamia Propagation Facility in Africa now stands.

Science Meets Sustainability

With 75 elite varieties of Pongamia imported from India, PHYLA’s propagation site is more than a nursery — it’s a launch pad for change. Supported by MUSIKA for over seven years, the project is delivering real impact, from environmental restoration to economic empowerment.

The yields? Over 2,500 litres of oil, 4 metric tonnes of seedcake for protein-rich animal feed, and 6 metric tonnes of biomass — an eco-friendly alternative to charcoal that could curb deforestation and restore Zambia’s natural forest cover.

“We’re processing the seeds just like sunflower or soybeans,” Dr. Warr explains. “The shells produce eco-charcoal, the oil can be used for biofuels and cooking, and the protein-rich cake supports local livestock industries. It’s a full-circle solution.”

Empowering Rural Communities

But the most powerful transformation may not be the physical landscape — it’s the hope blossoming in Zambia’s rural communities. PHYLA is engaging villagers, smallholder farmers, and young people in long-term partnerships, some stretching up to 30 years, to reforest and regenerate marginal lands with Elite Pongamia.

“This is about jobs, dignity, and the future,” says Dr. Warr. “We’re not just planting trees — we’re planting opportunities. Every tree is a step away from deforestation, charcoal dependency, and poverty.”

The project’s potential to unlock carbon credits for farmers adds another layer of impact — offering a new, green revenue stream for communities willing to invest in sustainability.

A Model for the Continent

Encouraged by the success in Chingola, MUSIKA Managing Director Reuben Banda is now working with PHYLA to scale the project nationally — bringing Elite Pongamia to small-scale farmers and extending the green revolution beyond the shadows of old mine dumps.

“Where nothing could grow due to copper and cobalt slag, Elite Pongamia is flourishing,” Banda affirms. “That’s not just hope — that’s proof of concept.”

A Greener Tomorrow, One Tree at a Time

In a world grappling with climate change, food insecurity, and energy crises, Elite Pongamia offers a rare trifecta: ecological restoration, renewable energy, and economic resilience.

Dr. Warr puts it best:

“This is not just about today — it’s about the next generation. The future of our landscape, the future of our young people, the future of our planet.”

Zambia’s once-forgotten lands are stirring again. The roots are deep. The vision is bold. And thanks to a humble tree and the people who believe in it, the story of Zambia’s mined lands may yet become one of redemption — and triumph