Karonga, February 12, 2016: Government, in conjunction with Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture (CARLA), is expected to plant 127, 000 tree seedlings in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu in Karonga by June this year.

CARLA Project Coordinator in Karonga, Japhet Luhanga, made the revelation Wednesday during a visit to the district by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development.

Since July last year, about 90,000 tree seedlings have been planted in the district, according to CARLA.

Luhanga said they selected the area of Kyungu for implementation of the afforestation programme because it is the most badly affected by climate change.

“Based on a survey that was conducted years ago, climatic problems such as drought and floods continue affecting the area of T/A Kyungu due to high deforestation, as a result, communities become food insecure year in and year out.

“Therefore, CARLA, in conjunction with government, decided to plant a lot of trees in the area, particularly in eleven villages of Group Village Headman Mwakabanga,” he said.

He added that community members were already sensitized and are able to establish their own tree nurseries with support from village natural resource management committees.

CARLA started afforestation programmes in Karonga from 2012 with funding from African Development Bank (ADB). By September this year, they expect to plant over 500 000 trees.

In his remarks, the Director for Irrigation Services in the Ministry of Agriculture,Geoffrey Manda,asked leaders in the area to put in place measures that will help communities to benefit from the project outcomes for a long time after CARLA pulls out in June this year.

Apart from visiting the area where trees are being planted, the ministry official also toured areas where activities meant to promote soil conservation are implemented.