By Timothy Peter 

Dedza, February 7, Mana: Dedza District Council Forestry Officer, Sitwell Banda, has disclosed that the district council has planned to plant 1,650,000 trees in this year’s forestry season, which is ending on April 15, 2025.

Banda made the remarks Thursday during the district’s launch of the 2024/2025 district forestry season at Mkumbi Catchment in the area of Senior Chief Kaphuka under the theme: ‘Restore Forests and Land to Secure Food Production’.

According to Banda, the forestry season is crucial for restoring forests which are currently depleted in the district.

He said people should realize that climate change that the country is experiencing is one of the impacts of destroying forests by carelessly cutting down trees for several human activities.

"This season is important for us to plant more trees and take care of it. We want to join hands with chiefs and other stakeholders to restore the forests in the district so that shortly, we benefit from it," he said.

On his part, Senior Chief Kaphuka advised people in the district to plant more trees on bare grounds and also replace those that are cut down. 

He said: "We need to take care of these planted trees and continue planting more in our backyards and bare grounds. We are also required to replace trees that have been cut down."

Taking his turn, Guest of Honor at the event, Dedza district council, Chairperson, Stanley Manase, said authorities have the role to play in restoring the forests by taking the message to the people so that they understand that trees are very important for their living. 

He also advised people to avoid illegal charcoal burning as one way of taking care of the forests in the district.

The country’s Vice President Michael Usi launched the National Forestry Season at Lufita Primary School in Chitipa on December 17, 2024.