Temwa plants 200 000 trees in NB
Temwa Organisation has planted over 200 000 trees at Chigwere in Nkhata Bay North to restore vegetation along rivers.
Speaking during the event on Saturday, Temwa programmes manager Kondwani Botha said almost one in four trees the organisation planted have failed to survive due to lengthy dry spells in the area.
“Despite challenges of rains, the project has been successful as we managed to raise the number of trees we wanted,” he said.
The project strives to empower communities to manage natural resources and raise seedlings to be planted on bare river banks.
Temwa planted the trees in partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) through its Action at Home Programme.
VSO team leader Khwima Mwasinga said their participation in reforestation was a way to give back to communities.
“Our volunteers, some of whom are from abroad, are placed in host homes as a way of serving and giving back to communities as well as to have a feel of Malawian culture,” she said.
The volunteers deliver gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights lessons in schools in Mzuzu, Rumphi and Mzimba, said Mwasinga.
Chikwina agricultural extension development coordinator Kenneth Msukwa warned against charcoal production and wanton cutting down of trees which have left most hills and riverbanks. n
