Afforestation Initiative in Mchinji District Aims to Combat Deforestation and Climate Change Effects
In 2022, heavy winds and rainfall destroyed houses and schools in the area, including Kholoni primary and secondary schools, due to a lack of trees.
Malawi: Mchinji district in Malawi once had a lush, green landscape, but deforestation has led to devastating effects of climate change, including flash floods and heavy rains, writes Alinafe Dzuluwanda.
Joseph Mazuwa, the district's forest assistant, confirmed the extent of the problem, saying, "Deforestation is very rampant, you know people are cutting mango trees and others for charcoal business."
In 2022, heavy winds and rainfall destroyed houses and schools in the area, including Kholoni primary and secondary schools, due to a lack of trees.
But an initiative called Afforestation for Sustainable Community Development (ASCOD), established by the Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development (YASD) is working to decrease the problem in the area.
Gerald Njanje, YASD's Executive Officer, said, "This organization was started in response to climate change which the district is currently facing. We are planting these tree seedlings not only in communities but also in schools for they are also being affected by climate change, so by planting these seedlings in schools, we want to create windbreaks so that school blocks should not be blown away by windstorms."
Njanje called for the communities, government, and other non-governmental organizations to assist them in their tree planting exercise, as their organization was unable to do it in 2021 due to a lack of funds.
The initiative has received support from Joseph Mazuwa, who said, "It is very important to plant trees so that we can restore degraded land, it is a very recommendable job as they are supporting government efforts."
The director of the Permaculture Paradise Institute, Luwayo Biziwiki, also encouraged people to plant trees for commercial use despite the effects of climate change.
He said, "Through our project, agroforestry, agro-economy, and food forestry, we want to establish numerous food forests before the year 2025 in Mchinji. This will also be considered as part of the business to the owners of the forests because they get timber from pine for commercial purposes."
The communities have welcomed the initiative, with tree farmer Onesta Nestoli from Msitu club at Chiosya Extension Planning Area (EPA) saying she is excited about the project and will take care of the trees they planted for food, money, and to fight against climate change.
The initiative has also involved students from secondary schools to teach them the importance of planting trees and how to take care of them at a young age.
Innocent Lamukani, headteacher of Kholoni Community Day Secondary School, said the trees will help to conserve the environment and for fruit production.
Currently, YASD has planted 750 out of their targeted 1000 tree seedlings in Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi and Zulu with support from the Permaculture Paradise Institute, Still I Rise and CAMFED.