By: Steve Chirombo

Dedza, November 15, Mana: In a bid to restore village forests, participants under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) under Ng’ombe catchment area in Dedza district, said they are eager to plant 40 000 trees seedlings.

The participants are assured of their total commitment to ensure that once planted, the trees are taken care of.

Speaking in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Thursday, Group Village Headman (GVH) Chinkhota under Traditional Authority (T/A) Tambala in which the catchment falls, said all is set to restore some bare lands.

GVH Chinkhota said: “We realize the importance of restoring natural trees that also help in provision of fruits and firewood.  Just also to highlight that the financial aspect of the program is not only helping us in our houses, but also aiding our efforts of planting more trees.”

One of the catchment’s committee members, Umali Sadic, from Njirasowa Village, said many people are willing to support afforestation activities during the 2024/2025 season as clearly seen in their tree nurseries.

“As for this area, we plan to plant more trees and find better ways of making sure that they are taken care of. We understand the benefits of having trees that include fresh air, shades and also possibility of more rains,” he stated.

In his remarks, the area’s Agriculture Extension Development Officer (AEDO), Joseph Jassi, commended the people for taking strides in nursery preparations.

“I am extremely happy to see that people in this catchment area are doing great in nursery establishment which gives us hope that more trees will be planted. The unity in these people is so adorable which is enabling proper implementation of the program,” he said.

District Commissioner (DC) for Dedza, Thomas Chigwenembe, expressed gratitude at the development while calling on the communities more especially where the CS-EPWP is being implemented to own it.

He said being a project with a time factor, there was need for communities to fully regard it as their own, so that once it phases out; they will be able to continue implementing it.

“We thank government for bringing in this intervention. It is covering a lot of people who are benefitting. Let me also commend Ng’ombe catchment for joining hands on this one because the tree seedlings being planted will help us in future endeavors,” he said.

CS-EPWP aims at addressing climate change and environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development in vulnerable communities.

It is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Programme, which is being implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee with support from the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.