Zomba artists in afforestation drive

The current erratic rains and dry spells that are affecting yields, especially in the just ended growing season has forced Zomba-based Chikho Travelling Theatre to train its attention into the writing and acting of environmental friendly plays with a focus on afforestation.

The group’s chairperson Anafi Chindevu says the crew is disappointed with how poorly crops are fairing due to environmental shocks.

He said upon interaction with farmers and organisations interested in environmental conservation, the group noted that activities such as the wanton cutting down of trees for charcoal, firewood, furniture and construction, among other things, are major contributing factors to the global climatic change.

Chindevu alluded to the ignorance to the hydrological cycle as one of the reasons fueling environmental degradation.

“Our objective is to teach people, through edutainment, that in the same way they used to destroy trees, in the same way they can easily restore them if they replant more trees in proportion to what they harvested,” he said.

Director for Leadership for Environmental and Development (Lead) Professor Sousten Chiotha agreed with Chindevu saying the battle against environmental degradation can be won if people work in union.

Chiotha defined drama as one of the tools that can influence people to plant more trees as drama draws large audiences.

“Let us remember that as citizens we will remain accountable to any environmental shocks that hit the country if we deliberately fail to encourage one another to replant and protect trees in our country,” he said. n