Chief challenges subjects on tree planting

Traditional Authority Mpama of Chiradzulu has called on his subjects to take tree-planting initiatives seriously for the area to regain its natural beauty.

Mpama said this on Saturday when Development Aid from People to People (Dapp) conducted a day-long tree-planting awareness campaign in the area.

The chief said Malawi can regain her natural forest if people incorporate tree-planting initiatives in their yearly agricultural activities.

“Tree-planting should not be by mistake. It should form part of our routine agricultural exercises. And from this year, I will personally be monitoring every family in my area to ensure everyone is planting trees both in our homes and farmlands,” he said.

Mpama thanked Dapp for providing communities in his area with tree seedlings which, he said, have already germinated.

“We are just waiting for the rains to transplant,” he said.

Dapp tree-planting coordinator for Chiradzulu and Thyolo districts, Kennedy Khunga, said trees play an important role in addressing climate change effects and contribute to sustainable agricultural activities.

Emphasising that trees are an important component of agricultural activities, Khunga said they help conserve soil and water, control floods, prevent desertification, protect coastal areas and stabilise sand dunes.

“They also help reduce salinity and soil erosion; provide shade, food and shelter to animals; hence the need to plant more trees,” said Khunga.

He, therefore, encouraged people of Mpama to plant trees with the first rains this year.