By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, October 22, Mana: Participants under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CSEPWP) at Chankhungu in Traditional Authority Nkukula in Dowa, have hailed the project saying it has helped raise awareness on environmental conservation amongst community members.

In an interview during a media tour to appreciate progress of the project, Liston Chipokosa of Kaliza village said at first, there were high cases of environmental degradation due to little awareness on environmental management.

“Many people were not aware of the importance of protecting the environment and how degradation can directly affect us. For example, there was careless cutting down of trees.

“This resulted into high incidences of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility, which affected crop production and food security,” said Chipokosa who is also chairperson for Chankhungu catchment.

However, he said since joining the program in 2022, there has been an improvement in environmental management.

Under the program which is being funded by the World Bank and Multi Donor Trust Agency and facilitated by the National Local Government Finance Committee, he said participants are implementing various interventions to reclaim degraded lands.

“We are constructing swales to improve water drainage, constructing stone bunds for soil and water conservation, planting vetiver grass to reduce soil erosion and rainwater runoff. We are also conducting reafforestation activities.

“Apart from that, we have check dams to reduce water speeds, conserve soil and fill gullies. So far, we have seen that we have a better environment, and our fields are more productive than before,” he said.

Christina Chigeza of Chigowo village said previously there were some pieces of land they had stopped cultivating due to degradation. But under the project, they have managed to reclaim the fields and resumed cultivation.

She said this has also motivated other people who were at first reluctant to allow projects like swale construction on their lands, to embrace the interventions.

“Apart from land reclamation activities, the program has also been a source of income for us.

“As a single mother, it was difficult to take care of my family without income. But under the program, we receive some money at every cycle which helps me take care of my children. We are thankful for that and wish for the program to continue,” she said.

Land Resource Conservation Officer at Dowa District Council, Tamerson Mhone, who is also Desk Officer for the project in the district, said it was encouraging to note that the project is creating not only physical structures but also knowledge.

“Knowledge is priceless. If people understand the importance of environmental conservation, it is easier for them to own the interventions and implement these for a very long time,” he said.