President Peter Mutharika has been appointed champion and patron of the Malawi Parliamentary Conservation Caucus (MPCC) for his efforts in conserving wildlife and combating illegal wildlife trade.
MPCC is a coalition of members of Parliament (MPs) that encourage diversity in perspectives, opinions and knowledge.
The caucus provides a forum for its members to engage with a collaboration of stakeholders from other government agencies, the business community, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and development institutions to understand conservation challenges facing Malawi.
Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change, Welani Chilenga, announced the appointment on Tuesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where Mutharika had an audience with president of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation, John Grantt.
In his speech, the President said his government takes the conservation of natural resources seriously.
Mutharika said the challenge is that Malawi’s resources are under increasing pressure because of over-exploitation and unsustainable utilisation.
“We have the best chambo but this valuable fish has declined by 70 percent over the past 10 years. Our forest reserves are under threat and several species are on the verge of extinction,” said Mutharika. n
