By Ivy Yohane

Blantyre, December 12, Mana: In a reforestation drive, Domwe Active Youth Organization (DAYO) is planting trees through a project called, Nzotheka at Traditional Authority Makata in Blantyre rural where deforestation and other forms of environmental degradation took place at the expense of people’s livelihood.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday, DAYO Programmes Officer, Jennifer Kandoje said that Nzotheka project will help to replace trees in areas where forest cover was lost.

DAYO expressed optimism that the vegetative cover will in the long run help to reduce land degradation that is ignited by flooding which in turn affects people’s livelihood.

“We have targeted areas like Group Village head Chikwiya, Mtotela, Milli, Mpopo and Fred. These places experienced a lot of deforestation as all trees that were covering hills in these areas were cut off by residents,” she said, adding that this was why DAYO felt obliged to implement Nzotheka to ensure vegetative cover in bare areas.  

Kandoje added that DAYO has been engaging the youths to set up clubs in the project impact areas to ensure effectiveness of the re-afforestation initiative.

“Our goal is to fulfill the MW2063 Vision through capacity building for the youth on re-afforestation, establishing more forest youth clubs that will plant different species of trees”, she added.

In a separate interview, environmental expert, Charles Mkoka said that projects like Nzotheka bring environmental and economic benefit to the community.

“Reafforestation initiative often is restoring forests that helps to prevent soil erosion, improving soil fertility and enhance water retention that supports agriculture and ensure access to clean water,” he said.

DAYO was formed to help young people understand and take full action in addressing issues that affect agriculture, education, health, environment and other issues that concern the society.