Over 500 000 trees to be planted in BT

Blantyre District Council has secured 500 000 tree and fruit seedlings to be planted during the 2016/17 National Tree Planting Season.

The move is aimed at mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency yesterday, Blantyre district forestry officer Geoffrey Kanyerere said the tree and fruit seedlings will be distributed and planted in the entire council.

He said the seedlings will be closely monitored for their survival.

Said Kanyerere: “Indeed, I can confirm that the district just like others, has not been spared from the high deforestation and environmental degradation effects due to El-Nino, wanton cutting down of trees, charcoal burning activities for commercial purposes and harmful bush fires among other devastating causes of deforestation.”

He said his office will conduct sensitisation campaigns to instil a sense of ownership among the community members who are the custodians of the trees.

“It is the responsibility and right of every resident to plant and take care of trees during the entire planting season,” said Kanyerere.

He appealed to the corporate world to donate more seedlings to the cause to ensure that the district reclaims its lost evergreen glory. n