Viphya Plantation earmarked for replanting

Over 2 500 hectares of Viphya Plantation will be replanted during this year’s planting season.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Viphya Plantation rehabilitation association president Enoch Soko said contractors will cover 1 000 hectares while concessionaires will cover 1 500 hectares.

Soko said the stakeholders have already produced seedlings and called on government to observe planting calendar to ensure that activities go according to plan.

Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining spokesperson on environment and climate change Sangwani Phiri said the Ministry has stepped up efforts to play a bigger role in the replantation exercise.

He said the Ministry will engage more concessionaires that have the capacity to manage forests through replanting.

Viphya Plantation acting manager Custom Nyirenda said the Forestry Department has stepped up patrols to protect the plantation from bushfires and encroachment. n