By James Mwale

Ntchisi, September 20, Mana: Ntchisi District Council, chiefs and police have decried the pace at which charcoal burners are degrading land and have vowed to jointly work towards ending the vice.

The commitment was made Thursday at Senior Chief Nthondo Headquarters during a stakeholders’ high level meeting where it was established that Ntchisi Forest and part of Nkhotakota Game Reserve which share boundaries are the most affected.

The high level meeting follows an outcry which came during Station Executive Committee (SEC) meeting where Senior Chief Nthondo expressed his concern over rampant deforestation through burning of charcoal in his area.

The Senior Chief said his area was fast turning into a desert following thousands of trees which are being cut down daily with tones of charcoal being ferried from his area to urban areas.

He expressed disappointment with some unpatriotic villagers who shield culprits from Lilongwe and Nkhotakota and some chiefs who encourage the malpractice by being indirectly involved.

Officer in-Charge for Ntchisi Police Station, Deputy Commissioner Tiyese Chiumbuzo, said deforestation was the root of climate change and committed that his office was ready to enforce the law and work with the community.

"We needed to come and appreciate the situation first, thereafter map a way forward on how best we can work towards resolving the issue.

"As Police, we are ready to take an extra mile to solve the problem at hand," said Chiumbuzo.

The Officer-in-Charge further said that he will intensify joint patrols with forest officers and community leaders in order to curb the vice.

District Forest Officer for Ntchisi, Jim Lukwale, also affirmed the council’s commitment towards the cause, saying he was confident that the team work would bring an impactful outcome.

After the meeting, the authorities visited Ntchisi Forest to appreciate the situation on the ground where they found tonnes of charcoal bags waiting to be ferried to unknown destination.