By Martin Chiwanda                                                

Machinga, July 2, Mana: Machinga district Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works participants says they have realized that reforestation through planting of trees is expensive than natural regeneration which is affordable and can also bring back a forest, as it promotes the natural regrowth of trees and vegetation on degraded lands.

The participants made the observation known during an interview with Mana after visiting their micro catchment areas where among other things are doing natural trees regeneration.

Namad Chawanda who is chairperson of Nyenyezi catchment in the area of traditional authority Nyambi in the district said they have realized that it is easy to regenerate natural trees that planting the new ones.

Chawanda noted that more trees have been planted but the survival late has been a challenge as it has not been easy for them to survive with hard weather the district has always been facing.

“Reforestation through planting trees is expensive because of the cost of seedlings and how to take care of them. But we have realized through the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works that natural regeneration is affordable and can also bring back a forest, as it promotes the natural regrowth of trees and vegetation on degraded lands,” he said.

Chawanda also noted that natural tree regeneration is there to assist in rainfall patterns and purification of air which comes from the leaves.

 “Natural trees are also important because they are climate resilient and act as windbreakers. Without trees, it does not rain much. And when it does, trees help to stop soil erosion. The leaves are important too as they fertilize the soil and keep it healthy. Therefore, we are doing everything possible as community through the initiative to regenerate more hectares,” added Chawanda.

Another participant, Emily Evance from Masanje micro catchment in the area of traditional authority Liwonde said the natural regeneration which is taking place in their area has already reduced soil erosion in their area.

Evance noted that the trees shade the soil and reduce soil evaporation, keeping the soil moist, which makes farms more resilient to extreme heat.

She adds: “The regenerated natural trees are helping us in many ways. Back then, we even had a firewood issue, but now that the forest is close by, we don’t have that challenge as we will most likely find firewood as we enter the woodland.

"Furthermore, we had cases of soil erosion before the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works was introduced in our area. Now, the soil erosion situation has drastically been controlled because of the trees we are regenerating as rain drops are not directly falling on the ground as tree leaves are shading the soil.”

Towens Gondwe, Extension Officer who is leading the natural tree regeneration said by regenerating forests, Machinga district can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming.

"Apart from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming, the regenerated natural trees roots help the soil to be compacted and make it harder for running water to wash it away. For the few years we have been regenerating the natural trees through the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works programme, things have changed for the better now.

“The participants are even encouraged to practice what they are doing here to their homes. They have started to regenerate their natural trees in their respective homes. This is a plus to the project but also to the district,” said Gondwe.

The Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme is funded by World Bank and is being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).