By Bazilio Chingoli

Ntcheu March 8, Mana: The Executive Director for Youth Net and Counseling (YONECO) Organization, Mcbain Mkandawire, has encouraged students in secondary and primary schools to take an active part in forest and land restoration in their communities, and at their schools.

Mkandawire made this call on Tuesday, during tree planting exercise that took place at Ntcheu secondary school, attended by students from the secondary school and Gumbu Primary School.

He emphasized on the importance of instilling environmental conservation culture among the youth to ensure sustainability of land and forest restoration interventions along Mpira catchment area.

"We are working with students through their environmental clubs by giving them technical support to help restore Mpira Dam. This will be achieved through the establishment of woodlots and orchards at their schools through the theme 'I and my tree, together we grow'” said Mkandawire.

"Our main goal is to promote forest and land restoration in the areas that suffered deforestation and land degradation around Mpira Dam catchment area, with the aim of extending the life of Mpira Dam". He added.

A Form 3 student at Ntcheu Secondary School, Sera Mhango, commended YONECO for the intervention, saying it will help address the challenges of prolonged droughts that the country is facing due to climate change.

With funding from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), YONECO is implementing forest and land restoration programs in 14 schools, around Mpira catchment area.