By Lyte Ali

Mangochi, October 20, Mana: Mangochi District Council has launched a participatory forest management plan to take communities on board in planning and implementation of strategies that will help to bring back forest cover thereby protecting biodiversity for communities improve livelihood

The launch took place over the weekend at Mtakataka Community ground at Traditional Authority Chowe. Senior Chief Chowe welcomed the participatory forest management plan, saying this was the right approach to preserving the remaining forest and recovering lost forest cover in the district.

He said forest management was a collective responsibility, adding that community participation through enforcement of bylaws was an important measure to address deforestation.

Senior Chief Chowe said bylaws and other Acts will surely bring perpetrators to book and further appealed to fellow chiefs in the district to exercise their authority by being at the forefront of enforcing bylaws so that their subordinate chiefs and subjects are environmentally conscious and responsible enough  in conserving and protecting forests

"Let us take ownership of our forests and work together to preserve them for future generations. As chiefs, we must help to sensitize our subordinates to recognize the value of our forests beyond just timber and charcoal,

“Forests also provide us with clean air, water, and food. It is our duty to protect them,” Chowe said as he addressed those who attended the launch.

He warned that those found cutting down trees irresponsibly will face consequences, emphasizing the need for collective action against all human activities that destroy forests, citing encroachment into protected forests and village forest areas for charcoal and timber production.

Speaking at the event, Assistant District Forest Officer at Mangochi District Council, Mangochi, Mary Kamanga said that the district intends to empower local communities to manage their forests effectively, ensuring tree regeneration and conservation of natural resources.

She explained that participatory plans will guide community-level forest management structures in sustainable forest management and utilization.

“Many forests in the district have been heavily depleted, leading to numerous problems, including loss of livelihoods. As such, through the participatory plans, in the next five years we want to recover all community forests with more trees, both through natural tree regeneration and new plantings," Kamanga said.

Mangochi District Council, Chairperson, Councilor Abdullah Yusuf hailed the initiative, saying this was crucial measure to conserve the environment in line with Malawi’s development aspirations.

To deal with land degradation the council chair added that communities should be responsible enough to conserve the forests for numerous benefits.