By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, February 8, Mana: Chairperson for Nsanje District Council, Mike Kafalachi, has disclosed that the council will plant 1.6 million trees during 2023-2024 forestry season.

Kafalachi said in an interview after launch of 2024 forestry season in the district on Wednesday at Khuluvi Primary School in Traditional Authority Ngabu’s area.

He therefore appealed to communities to take active role in the tree planting exercise, considering that the district currently experiences huge effects of climate change triggered by human induced non environmental activities, such as cutting down of trees, among others.

“Nsanje is a victim of floods and drought. We have witnessed various cyclones which have caused a lot of devastation of our livelihood. Let us all take part in tree planting to minimize the pain caused by effects of climate change,” appealed Kafalachi, adding that the district focused on smart innovative ways to plant trees and protect forest for sustainable livelihood for future generation.

“We need to take positive steps to make our environment a better place to live for us all and our grandchildren,” he added.

Member of Parliament for Nsanje South West, Eurita Mtiza, said there was need to put much effort in protecting trees that have been planted to ensure high rate of survival.

“The survival rate of trees in my area is minimal. It is time that everyone must take responsibility to take care of trees that have been planted,” she said.

Nsanje District Commissioner Dominic Mwandira said the council had put in place measures to protect and preserve trees to avoid further soil erosion and other forms of land degradation.

“We have increased our human resources on forest patrols to reduce illegal cutting down of trees but let us all take a lead and be exemplary in protecting environment. Everyone must be committed to preserve the environment.” he said while calling for mindset change to achieve restoration of depleted forest.

“Let us not just leave the issue of planting and protecting trees to forestry department and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) alone. We need concerted effort to restore our environment to achieve Malawi 2063,” said Mwandira.

Mwandira also asked traditional leaders to be vigilant in protecting the environment and acknowledged the effort by the NGOs in restoring the environment in the district.

Concern Worldwide, World Vision and Churches Action in Relief Development were some of NGOs that took part in the tree planting exercise.

President  Lazarus Chakwera launched 2023-2024 forestry season on January 26 at Mpasa hills in Phalombe, under the theme ‘Forest innovation in action: reforestation for sustainable tomorrow’