By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, March 10, Mana: Minister of Tourism, Vera Kamtukule, has emphasized the importance of government and private sector partners incentivising communities engaged in environmental conservation efforts as Malawi strives to restore deforested areas.

The minister made the remarks on Monday during Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi supported tree planting exercise at Michiru Nature Sanctuary in Blantyre.

During the exercise, the minister and other community members planted about 1,000 tree seedlings at the sanctuary.

Speaking to the media, Kamtukule observed that engaging the communities in the exercise would ensure that they continue to take an active role in planting and taking care of the planted trees to increase survival rate.

“The greatest part of conservation is the community. You cannot do conservation work without the communities. Therefore, we need to put governance arrangements from the government perspective, working closely with the communities and other sectors within this country, to ensure that we are taking care of the trees.

“Statistics show that we plant close to 10 million trees every single year, but not so many of the trees survive,” she added.

The minister therefore emphasised the need for communities supporting environmental conservation efforts to be incentivized through income-generating activities and others to support their livelihoods.

"This is voluntary work, and communities work at night under very harsh conditions. Let us motivate them with income generating activities and also support them with protective gear and other incentives," Kamtukule said.

Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Board Chairperson, Tiwonge Mzumata Gawa, concurred with the minister's sentiments.

“Communities or scouts play crucial role in protecting the environment, including the trees we plant year in and out. As such, they need to be supported with basic stuff,” Gawa added.

Traditional Authority Chigaru pledged to intensify bylaws to punish those found wantonly cutting down trees in protected zones.

About 7,000 tree seedlings are expected to be planted by WESM in the Michiru conservation area.