By Solister Mogha

Zomba, January 28, Mana: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Owen Chomanika on Monday disclosed of deployment of Malawi Defence Forces (MDF) soldiers to Zomba Plateau as an immediate measure to protect depletion of forest and other natural resources.

Chomanika said this at Sunbird Kuchawe during Zomba plantation stakeholders meeting which was organized to, among others, find solution to alarming illegal harvest of trees from the plateau’s forests.

He said the ministry has noticed with sadness the rate at which illegal sawyers were harvesting trees from the plantation, posing a threat to the future generation.

“This challenging situation in Zomba should have been curtailed by us the stakeholders but it seems we are also the direct beneficiaries of this illegal act. As an immediate solution, from next week, we will be deploying the MDF and the police who will be here for months or years,” the minister said.

Chomanika said MDF will be given all the powers to deal with anyone found encroaching the plantation to illegally harvest timber.

During the meeting, the minister also announced about revocation of licenses to some concessioners whom he said were also contributors to the massive harvesting of young trees from the plateau.

“We can't sit and watch some players who claim to be our stakeholders being in forefront promoting the malpractice. Today, I wish to announce that we have revoked license for Chivumbe Cooperatives,” he said.

The minister said another contributing factor to the malpractice was corruption amongst stakeholder who included the forest officers, police officers and cooperatives working in the Zomba Plateau.

He however said drastic measures would be taken on whosoever dares to destroy natural resources in the country.

“If the act involves politicians who claim to be powerful, let us know; we will deal with them decisively,” he warned.

Some of the participants at the meeting proposed proper timber market licensing and suspension of sales of timber products in the district during off-season.

Senior Chief Mlumbe concurred with the minister, saying a lot of damage has happened to Zomba Plateau, and he promised to support the ministry in protecting the plantation.

“Getting the MDF into the forest is the rightful decision and we fully welcome it,” the chief added.

Southern Region Water Board Chief Executive Officer Duncan Chimphamba said the board is willing to take over 1,000 hectares of the plantation which it can manage by employing its own forest guards to “guard it jealously.”

The stakeholders meeting in Zomba came amidst public outcry as concerned stakeholders expressed worry over massive destruction of the forest through irresponsible tree harvest for timber.

Last week, hundreds of people were seen carrying logs of trees and timber from the forest into Zomba City unconcerned of the consequences of the depletion of the forest and future of water supply from Mulunguzi Dam.