Chitipa Aims to Plant 1.1 Million Trees This Season
This year's forestry season was launched under the theme "Forest Innovation in Action, Restoration for Sustainable Tomorrow."
CHITIPA, Malawi -- Chitipa District Council is expected to plant about 1.1 million trees during this year's national forestry season, which runs from Dec. 15 to April 15, according to District Forest Officer Sitwell Banda, writes Patricia Kayuni.
"These include indigenous as well as exotic and fruit trees planted across the district," Banda said at the district's forestry season launch.
The event was held in Senior Chief Mwaulambia's area, where the council partnered with Namatubi Network Foundation to plant trees along the Kaseye River, which supplies water to the newly constructed Marko Irrigation scheme.
"The site was specifically selected in order to safeguard the river, which would sometimes dry up in summer," Banda said.
He urged community leaders to take a leading role in planting and caring for trees, as deforestation activities continue.
Senior Chief Mwaulambia spoke against people who cut down trees for charcoal or farming purposes.
"I have called for the enforcement of bylaws and punishment for those caught in the act," he said.
Councilor Saidi Lwanja of Zambwe Ward, the guest of honour, encouraged people in Chitipa to establish household woodlots and orchards to improve forest resource proximity and ease pressure on communal areas.
"About 250,000 hectares of forests is lost to deforestation every year in Malawi, hence the need to plant the same hectarage to avoid a net loss of the forest," Lwanja said.
This year's forestry season was launched under the theme "Forest Innovation in Action, Restoration for Sustainable Tomorrow."