NGOs Launch Water Projects to Improve Environment, Livelihoods in Nkhotakota
Environmental groups tackle harmful practices, improve water access in Nkhotakota.
NKHOTAKOTA, Malawi — Two environmental groups say they are ready to tackle environmentally harmful practices in Nkhotakota as they launch projects to improve access to clean water for communities surrounding the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, writes Fletcher Chiponda.
"We are geared to eradicate all harmful environmental practises in Nkhotakota," said Yasin Rashid Malandula, district manager of the Wildlife Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), at the launch of a borehole drilling project on Thursday.
Malandula said, in conjunction with Water is Life Solution (WILS), his organisation is ready to help communities gain access to clean water. Only 65% currently have it, he noted.
"This is against Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene," Malandula said.
Kaipa Banda of WILS said his group follows water authority laws to maintain standards.
Bikoko Rashid, a representative of Chiutula Group Village Headman, said villagers will maintain the new borehole so women don't have to walk long distances for water.
With K125 million in funding from Australia's BridgIT Water Foundation, WESM plans to construct and rehabilitate more boreholes around the Nkhotakota reserve to improve environmental conservation and livelihoods.