United State Agency for International Development (USAiD)’s Protecting Ecosystem and Restoring Forests in Malawi (Perfom) deputy chief of party Blessings Mwale says emand for biomas in Malawi will surpass supply by 2021 if the country does not control deforestation.
He said in an interview on Monday that deforestation in Malawi has reached alarming levels and there is a need for quick interventions. Said Mwale: “Studies have shown that if no interventions are taken, by 2021 demand for wood will surpass supply a thing that will put the few available forests at pressure. This is catastrophic. The time to act is noe.”
He said every Malawian has the responsibility to fight deforestation, adding government cannot do it alone. “As a country, we need strategies that create wealth and eradicate poverty for all Malawians, including those indulging in these illegal forest activities. Let us embrace those indulging in illegal forest activities and work with through education and opportunities that improve their livelihoods,” said Mwale.
He called for massive awareness in rural settings to educate people that destroying trees and forests is self-inflicting because the pay-back is heavy.
Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines spokesperson Sangwani Phiri in a separate interview called for the need for the country to step up efforts to control deforestation.
He said at the rate people are destroying forests, most of the land will be left bare an in turn it will be the same people suffering effects of climate change.
Source: The Nation_August 28, 2019_By Geaorge Singini-Staff Reporter