Tag Archives: Dzalanyama forest reserve

Environment, Malawi

Malawi media environmental body pairs with TechnoBrain,LWB and MDF to restore depleted Dzalanyama forest

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country coordinated environmental media body, Association of Environmental Journalists (AEJ)in Malawi on Saturday paired with Techno Brain, Lilongwe Water Board (LWB)and Malawi Defence Force (MDF)in planting trees exercise at Dzalanyama Forest Reserve which is Lilongwe River’s source.

This is an initiative aimed at helping restoring the heavily destroyed forest to its former glory.

The media body along side with its partners including Techno Brain and LWB has been planting trees in the forest for the past four years as a way of helping to sustain the environment.

On this year’s exercise, Information Technology company, Techno Brain bought 5000 seedlings plus T-shirt towards the planting initiative.

AEJ Secretary General Charles Mkoka emphasised the need for all stakeholders to corroborate with the media in environmental conservation.

Mkoka lauded the association’s partners for timely engagement towards the grouping’s objectives in the country.
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Techno Brain Project manager Tionge Chipeta-Mwandira said it was an obligation for the company to appreciate nature but covering it with seedlings towards Dzalanyama restoration.

Mwandira added that as the company that matters most on nature, will continue supporting other interested environmental body to look after environment.

“Techno Brain values nature so much that is why for four years we have been participating in this tree planting exercise right here at Dzalanyama and we are proud to be part of the efforts to restore this forest,” she said.

Secretary to government, Lloyd Muhara who led the exercise along side MDF commander, Griffin Supuni Phiri and Inspector General of Police Lexten Kachama said Malawi government is hoping that Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is going to be restored if the survival rate on trees planted in the previous growing season can be sustained, adding that the seedlings survived by 78 percent.

However, MDF commander, Supuni Phiri, disputed the allegations that soldiers were brutal, adding that they were simply discharging their duties and those who didn’t like them were the law breakers.

Board chairperson for LWB Edward Chitsonga attributed the tree survival to good planting timing and good care provided to the trees.

According to Chitsonga the board planned to plant 6000 trees but planted only 1000 seedlings during the exercise so the remaining 5000 seedlings re planted on a better day when it was raining.

The biggest challenge to the Dzalanyama Forest has been the surrounding communities who fell down trees in order to make charcoal or sell the firewood. The practice has been so rampant that it felt like government was losing the battle until it engaged the Malawi Defense Force to guarding the forest.

Environment

Government urges communities to conserve Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

Henry Chizimba
Lloyd Muhara during the planting tree exercise held in Dzalanyama forest

Government has urged communities around Dzalanyama Forest Reserve in Lilongwe to preserve trees to reduce water shortages.

Chief Secretary to the Government Lloyd Muhara said this during the tree planting exercise held in Dzalanyama forest under the theme “Malawi Forests rooted in the past, branching out in the future” on Thursday in Lilongwe.

Muhara said the community and stakeholder efforts in preservation can save Lilongwe from its water challenges.

“Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is the water source of the capital city hence the need to do more for conservation of the forest reserve”, said Muhara.

He called for concerted efforts among stakeholders for the preservation of the forest.

“I would like to commend the Malawi Defence Force with the help of the traditional leaders for making sure that the forest reserve is protected,” stressed Muhara.

Muhara thanked the donor partners, private companies, non-governmental organisation, and education institutions for coming out in large numbers to take part in the tree planting exercise.

Speaking earlier the resident representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kazuhiko Tokuhashi observed that Dzalanyama Forest Reserve had been seriously degraded and deforested due to illegal charcoal production.

Tokuhashi hailed the government of Malawi for coming up with the idea of engaging the Malawi Defence Force in patrolling the forest reserve.

He said public awareness could reduce consumption of charcoal and firewood and help conserve the forest reserve.

“Malawi’s government’s commitment to conserve the forest reserve needs to be supported by all various stakeholders in order to achieve the intended purpose,” said Tokuhashi.

Speaking in an interview one of the organizers of the tree planting exercise, Lilongwe Water Board Chairperson Kayisi Sadala said the negative effects of environmental degradation can be reversed to safeguard the catchment area.

Sadala said the continuous commitment by government and other stakeholders to plant trees in the forest reserve every year is very commendable.

He emphasized the need for recognizing the importance of increasing forest cover through the tree planting exercise to strengthen resilience of disasters in the communities.

Office of the President and Cabinet in collaboration with Lilongwe Water Board and the Department of Forestry provided 34,000 trees to be planted in the forest reserve this year.