By Innocent Chunga

Nkhotakota, February 12, Mana: Deputy Director in the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Davis Kalima, has tipped communities in Nkhotakota on the need to enhance community-based management of ecosystem in the country's wetlands, saying they are key in environmental conservation.

Speaking during the commemoration of Wetlands Day on Friday at Chizongwe Ground in the area of Senior Chief Mwadzama in Nkhotakota district, Kalima said government is committed to work with stakeholders and traditional leaders in ensuring that the wetlands are well conserved to gain international recognition.

He said wetlands provide an opportunity to improve both tourism activities and economic well-being of surrounding communities in the country.

Kalima added that wetlands are a hotspot of biodiversity and the country uses wetlands as a site for ecotourism activities, saying government is therefore trying to promote the wise use of wetlands to remain attractive to tourists.

“In areas around Elephant Marsh, which is the biggest marsh in the country, we have organized communities around it to have different tourism activities. They work together there with support from other stakeholders and partners like Shire Valley Transformation Programme.

“Here in Nkhotakota we have Wildlife Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) which is taking care of Chia Lagoon through its bird management project, which it is implementing,” he said.

WESM board member Victor Mangochi disclosed that as an organization they are committed to support government in enhancing and conserving the environment.

Chairperson for Nkhotakota District Council, Councilor Charles Chimzukuzuku, said the council will continue providing support to stakeholders who are committed to support them in protecting wetlands to be in line with the district's plans of turning the district into a tourism city.

Malawi has commemorated the World Wetlands Day in the district under the theme ‘Wetlands and human well-being’.