By Max Medson

Salima, March 8, Mana: Movement for Environmental Action (MEA) has called for proper tree planting and caring techniques to ensure high survival rates and replenish vegetative cover.

The call was made on Saturday, when MEA planted 1,000 trees at ABC Primary School, Mphere Village, Traditional Authority Kuluunda in Salima district.

Chairperson for MEA Mathews Malata said in their broader drive to plant 10,000 trees this rainy season, they have managed to plant 8,000.

Malata emphasized the need to plant more trees in the area, noting that the place experiences heavy winds and irregular rainfall due to lack of vegetation.

"Most people do not know how to plant the trees well, and how to take care of the planted trees, hence we came to teach and illustrate the right ways to do so," he said.

Mlambe ABC Primary School’s headteacher, Wilfred Kalirani, expressed gratitude for the initiative, praising MEA for teaching the community the importance of trees in combating environmental challenges.

"On behalf of the staff, I would like to thank MEA for hearing our request. We are happy to have them here to teach the people of Mlambe village the essence of having trees, and ways of caring them. All this will help to combat the problem of strong winds and intermittent rainfalls,” he said.

On his part, Village Headman Mphere said there will be measures to prevent destroying the trees, warning that anyone found will face stiff penalties.

"As their leader, I will put in place good measures to stop people from destroying these trees. All found guilty will face tough punishment such as fines,” he said.