Dumped Diapers Pollute Kasungu Streams, Mayor Says
At least 1,000 trees were planted during the exercise, organized by youth clubs and community groups with support from CRWB and the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development.
KASUNGU, Malawi— Mayor for Kasungu Municipal Council Heese Nyangu has bemoaned the dumping of refuse such as disposable nappies in streams within the municipality, saying the practice has led to high levels of water and environmental pollution, writes Wanangwa Tembo, MANA.
“The levels of environmental pollution in our municipality have reached pathetic levels,” Nyangu said Monday.
Nyangu was speaking when he led a tree planting exercise along Kavunguti stream, which is the catchment for Central Region Water Board’s (CRWB) Chitete Dam that supplies water to the entire municipality.
He said the biggest challenge is the dumping of baby nappies in streams including the Kavunguti stream that feeds Chitete Dam.
“At the level we are moving, our dam will be full with trash and that would affect the lives of everyone including those that do the dumping,” Nyangu said. “We can’t proceed like this.”
Nyangu has asked residents to have proper refuse disposal mechanisms “to avert a looming environmental crisis.”
He said every household should have proper refuse dumping facilities or ensure waste is taken to a designated place for collection.
“We must also guard the catchment area for the dam by planting trees and ensuring nobody cultivates along the river banks,” he said.
CRWB Scheme Manager Jairus Gondwe said it was good communities initiated the tree planting on their own to show ownership.
He said erosion has caused siltation from clearing trees in the catchment.
At least 1,000 trees were planted during the exercise, organized by youth clubs and community groups with support from CRWB and the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development.