Protecting Environment Needs Collective Effort
Southern Region Water Board is planning to plant 100,000 trees in Zomba and Mangochi districts, while Zomba alone is hoping to plant 73,000 trees.
ZOMBA, Malawi- Political will is one of the fundamental aspects in restoring environment across the country, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana kakhobwe Chapota said during a tree planting exercise organized by Southern Region Water Board at Mulunguzi Dam, writes Peter Ngwenyama.
Chapota urged the community to take a role in protecting the environment and monitoring the trees that have been planted in order to achieve the intended purpose of restoring the environment.
However, she highlighted that government is trying but it needs different stakeholders to help protect the environment and appealed to citizens that planting trees should start at the household level in order to mitigate the impact of land degradation and climate change.
She said plans are still underway that will help to promote and conserve the environment across the nation.
Chapota lamented that the impact of climate change has put many people in devastating situations and below the poverty line due to cyclones that have hit the country.
She urged people to avoid wanton cutting down of trees and setting fires in protected areas as that is one of the setbacks in conserving and restoring the environment.
"Trees play an integral part in regulating the environment and maintaining the integrity of water resources," Chapota said.
Southern Region Water Board Chairman Brown Mpinganjira said they thought it wise to promote and conserve the environment and plant more trees surrounding Mulunguzi Dam because it is one of the main sources of water in Zomba district.
He said they have put in place mechanisms to ensure the trees that have been planted are conserved and protected across Mulunguzi Dam.
Malawi is expected to plant 34 million trees across the country.
Southern Region Water Board is planning to plant 100,000 trees in Zomba and Mangochi districts, while Zomba alone is hoping to plant 73,000 trees.