Malawi Water Authority Bans Unauthorized Lake, River Activities
The agency's current focus is preventing unauthorised construction and farming activities along waterways.
KARONGA, Malawi— Communities near Malawi's lakes and rivers must now seek permission before conducting any activities in these areas, a senior water official announced Tuesday, writes Lusekero Mhango.
"Land along the lake and rivers is public land," said Masozi Kasambala, Senior Civic Education and Public Relations Officer at the National Water Resources Authority (NWRA).
"Therefore, according to the NWRA, no one is permitted to carry out developmental or agricultural activities without authorization from the regulatory body."
Speaking at a full council meeting, Kasambala warned of projected rising water levels in Lake Malawi during the upcoming rainy season.
He tied water conservation to national development goals, referencing the country's Malawi2063 blueprint, focusing on urbanisation, industrialisation, and agricultural productivity.
"We, as chiefs, now have a responsibility to inform our people about water conservation and the dangers of activities around our Rukuru River, a growing concern that must be addressed," said Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa.
The NWRA, established by the Water Resources Act of 2013, oversees the nation's water resources and usage rights.
The agency's current focus is preventing unauthorised construction and farming activities along waterways.