By Patricia Kapulula

Dedza, January 17, Mana: Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change is working on logistics to get the right legal support and authorization so that forest guards have proper equipment to properly guard the country’s forests and reserves.

Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, made the remarks Friday during the pass out of forest guards at Malawi College of Forestry and Wildlife in Dedza.

105 forest guards have graduated with certificates after a six-week training in basic weapon handling and sustainable forestry management.

He said the guns currently used by forest guards are not suitable for the task as they are meant only to scare and not subdue the offenders, which puts them at risk in the event of an attack hence the need to have the arms upgraded.

“We are going on training that is intense than before while at the same time making sure how best we can equip the guards to manage patrols so that we have proper protection of our reserves and forests,” he said.

He expressed concern that the country experiences massive deforestation, as there are a lot of illegal loggers in most reserves.

Malawi targets to afforestate 4.4 million hactares by 2030, which Chomanika said is possible with proper forests guards who are well equipped.

One of the graduating recruits, Willard Fred, hailed the training saying it has given them the expertise to protect forests and reserves.

He thanked the Ministry for the consideration to upgrade their weapons saying it will go a long way in forestry sustainable growth.

“Our work is not easy as we meet people who have weapons such as pangas and stones. These people mobilise themselves to attack us.

“However, with the expertise we have acquired we will fight and protect forests in the country. Our work is not to kill but to protect our forests,” he said.

The Ministry is expected to recruit 1,500 forest guards to ensure that the country’s forests and reserves are properly guarded.