Neno communities receive K109m to fight deforestation

Communities in Neno have every reason to stop environmental degradation and restore land as government through the Shire River Basin Management Programme has given them K109 million ($185,160).

The money was given to them two months ago, but the launch was on Tuesday at Kalupsa Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Dambe in the district.

Neno district forestry officer Emmanuel Ngwangwa said the money is meant to assist in conserving forests in the district by providing villagers with capital to set up alternative businesses to charcoal burning.

He said: “The district has been greatly affected by deforestation. The situation is so pathetic that almost every village is engaged in charcoal burning. That is why we have initiated this programme to help people conserve forests.”

Ngwangwa said the district has eight committees that have received the money.

He said : “ Of the eight committees Kalupsa has received the most money amounting to K21 million.”

Kalupsa Committee secretary Sabawo Chikuni said the money will benefit them and forests will be conserved. n