The government urged individuals and organisations to plant trees during this year’s tree planting season to address challenges such as soil erosion and mitigate the impact of climate change. Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Minister, Aggrey Masi, said this on Monday when he presided over a tree-planting exercise which Raiply Malawi and Nyika Media Club (NMC) initiated in the Northern Region.
“It is very sad that people still encroach on forests, cut trees wantonly and set bush fires, thereby destroying a lot of trees. My appeal to local leaders is that they should plan an active role in mobilising others to plant trees, “ he said. Raiply Chief Executive Officer, Khrishna Das, said the company is committed to protecting forests, adding that they plan to plant over 1.8 million trees. Out of this number, he said, 200,000 trees would be planted in the Southern Region. “Last year, we lost a lot of tree seedlings and, this year, we have intensified security by building a fence, a road block and upgraded our communication systems,” he said. NMC General Secretary, Emmanuel Lawyer, said media proctitioners have a stake in environmental conservation efforts.
(Source: The Daily Times, Thursday, January 31, 2019)