127 000 trees to be planted in Karonga by June

Government in conjunction with Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture (Carla) is this rainfall period expected to plant 127 000 trees in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu in Karonga by June this year.

Speaking on Wednessday during a visit by Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development director for irrigation services Geoffrey Manda, Karonga Carla project coordinator Japhet Luhanga said that since July last year they have planted 90 000 tree seedlings in the area.

He said T/A Kyungu’s area was selected for the implementation of the afforestation exercise as it is mainly affected by the effects of climate change.

“ Based on a survey conducted a few years ago, climatic problems such as drought and floods continue to affect T/A Kyungu’s area, due to deforestation, resulting in communities becoming food insecure year every year.”

“ Therefore, Carla in conjunction with government decided to plant as much as many trees in the area, particularly in the eleven villages of group village headman Mwakabanga, and we expect to plant over 100 000 tree seedlings from July last year up to June this year,” said Luhanga.

In his remarks, Manda asked leaders in the area to put in place measures that will help communities to benefit from the outcomes of the project for many years even though Carla is phasing out in June this year.

Carla started the afforestation exercise in Karonga in 2012, with funding from the African Development Bank, and is expected to plant over 500 000 trees. n