By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, November 8, Mana: As part of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP), micro-catchments in Mchinji district have set up tree nurseries to support afforestation activities during the current season in the district.

With the seasonality calendar pointing to afforestation activities in the implementation of the programme, participants are establishing the tree nurseries after previously working on soil and water conservation interventions.

One of the forepersons from Puye Catchment in Traditional Authority Matuwamba, Emmanuel Sandikonda, said that they have established tree nurseries in readiness for afforestation interventions during the rainy season.

“In the nurseries, we are raising tree seedlings that we want to plant during the rainy season to help recover forest cover and reduce water runoff in the area,” said Sandikonda.

At Mwimbi catchment in T/A Simphasi, the chairperson of the management committee, Benson Geresomo, said the community came together to establish a tree nursery so that they should have enough seedlings for planting as the rains start.

“As a community contribution in the implementation of the programme, we spared our time to establish the nurseries and raise more seedlings so that we plant the trees on a large area of land, since most of the land here is bare,” said Geresomo.

District Forest Officer for Mchinji, Fortune Mwafulirwa, said she was impressed with how the programme participants have prepared for the next phase of continuous implementation.

Mwafulirwa said the preparations are going on well, as evidenced by the presence of forest nurseries in all the micro catchments across the district.

“My advice to all participants is to continue caring for their nurseries by following all the silviculture operations, and advice given to them by forestry extension workers in their respective micro catchments,

“The communities should also focus on caring for natural regenerating trees. They should also formulate bylaws and forest management plans for proper management of their respective woodlots and trees that will be planted,” said Mwafulirwa.

Some of the local species that are being raised include Nsangu, Ntangatanga, M’bawa, and Mthethe

Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP –Tidzidalire) supported by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.