By Salome Gangire

Neno, December 14, Mana: Communities at Traditional Authority Symon in Neno District commended Climate Just Communities (CJC) project implemented by Link Community Development Malawi, for its efforts of restoring degraded landscapes to improve livelihoods.

During a monitoring visit to Nkhombe in Group Village Head Symon’s area, participant Filipo Kwezalamba highlighted the project’s impact, emphasizing interventions such as the construction of swales, the establishment of stone bunds, and the planting of vetiver grass to mitigate land degradation and reduce runoff.

“Most of our land was severely degraded, with deep gullies caused by runoff which also affected food production. However, these interventions are making a difference and we are hopeful these issues will soon be history,” he added.

Kwezalamba also noted that the project improved livelihoods by providing participants with a steady income saying the income they receive helps to meet their household needs while enabling them to contribute into restoring the environment.

Chairperson for Mwingitsa Village Natural Resources Management Committee (VNRMC), Ben Dimba said his committee plans to plant 5,000 trees this rainy season as one way of restoring the environment.  

Group Village Head Symon praised the initiative complimenting climate-smart agriculture practices, which he said would boost food production from higher yields.

“Farmers are constructing swales, check dams and box ridges. These techniques not only restore the environment but also ensure sustainable farming,” he said.

Link Community Development Malawi’s Project Manager, Clement Mwazambumba, said the two –year Climate Just Communities Projects being funded by the Scottish Government through the Climate Justice Fund aims at addressing challenges affecting communities resulting from the adverse impacts of climate change.

He said the project's objectives include empowering local communities to identify and prioritize climate-related challenges, enabling marginalized groups to take proactive measures in tackling these issues and fostering community advocacy for sustainable change.

“The project operates across five thematic areas: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Resilient Schools; Loss and Damage, Disaster Risk Management and Livelihood Security,” Mwazambumba added.

He said under the disaster risk management theme, participants were constructing flood control or protection bunds, swales and planting vetiver and placing sand bags on the streams to prevent land degradation and manage flooding.

The Project Manager said the project has engaged 500 participants under the disaster risk management thematic area that were working in Nkhombe  under Group Village Head Symon and  Ngaiyaye villages under Group Village head Mtengula.

“Participants work for eight days, six days for constructing bunds and swales and two days for planting vetiver grass, which will be done once adequate rains fall to ensure the grass survives. Each participant will earn K1, 600 per day, totaling to K12, 800 for the duration of the work,” he said.