People of Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in Chitipa have described the Enhanced Public Works Programme (EPWP) as the best approach for addressing environmental degradation in the area.
The programme has been run to address run-off on the western side of Misuku Hill.
Speaking on Wednesday during a media tour of the area, Kalenge Catchment Management Committee chairperson Welfare Chomo said cutting down of trees in forest reserves resulted in flooding in the area.
He said: “Shifting cultivation and charcoal making caused deforestation in the area.
“But through EPWP, we have planted 6 000 pine trees to bring back the vegetative cover.”
Chomo also said they planted vertiver and constructed swaleys to address soil degradation.
A beneficiary Ipyana Mwangonde said working under EPWP has enabled her to raise school fees for her children.
Chitipa District National Local Government Finance Committee liaison officer Edward Ngwemba said Kalenge Catchment Management Area has 190 households benefiting from the programme.
The district has five catchment areas under the project.
The World Bank-funded programme is being implemented in 10 districts, namely Chitipa, Karonga, Nkhotakota, Kasungu, Dowa, Lilongwe, Balaka, Chiradzulu, Phalombe and Blantyre.
