LUSAKA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government has called on the World Bank to approve the implementation of a project aimed at increasing ecosystem resilience and land productivity within vulnerable landscapes in the northern part of the country, an official said on Monday.

Alexander Chiteme, Minister of National Development Planning, said the World Bank should approve the implementation of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilient Development in three provinces situated in the northern part of the country.

He said the development of the project will increase the ecosystem resilience and land productivity within vulnerable landscapes in the areas and provide immediate and effective response in the event of a crisis or emergency.

He said the government was highly expectant that the project would uplift the lives of people in the catchment areas.

"I want to assure you that Members of Parliament, community leaders and the government have worked tirelessly to bring this project on board and it currently stands as one of the most eagerly anticipated projects in the country building on the success of the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience," he said.

He made the remarks when he held a meeting with World Bank Senior Director for Environment and Global Practices Karin Erika Kemper and Benoit Bosquet, World Bank Country Coordinator for the Southern African region and other directors on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, according to a statement from his office.

He further urged the bank to expand its support to the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscaping Project currently being implemented in the eastern part of the country.

On their part, the World Bank officials assured the bank's commitment to work with the Zambian government to address its climate and environmental issues.

The World Bank officials also further agreed with the proposal to implement and scale up the two projects.