Synod to plant 1m trees a year

To restore the country’s forest cover and reduce harsh effects of climate change, the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia has embarked on a mission to plant at least one million trees every year.

The country has the worst deforestation rates in southern Africa.

According to synod moderator John Gondwe, they has set aside January 14 as the official tree-planting day to reduce chronic disasters, including droughts, unpredictable rainfall, floods, soil erosion and water shortage.

Speaking during the official launch of the tree planting day on Saturday in Mzuzu, where the Synod planted trees with support from Act Alliance, Gondwe said the synod is concerned with the rate at which people are wiping out forests.

He asked people to stop felling trees wantonly, stressing people should be custodians of the environment.

The synod is targeting to plant at least 20 000 trees this year.

“If every member plants a tree a year, we will plant about one million trees a year,” said Gondwe

Gondwe also called on people to take care of the trees they plant.

Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (Soldev) deputy board chairperson Stella Mwangonde said the synod will start producing its own seedlings.

Mzuzu member of Parliament Leonard Njikho commended the synod for embarking on the initiative and promised to support it to lessen the impacts of climate change on the country. n