Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) chairperson Ibrahim Matola says the battle against dry taps can be won if water supplying bodies have enough trees in their water source catchment areas.
He made the remarks on friday in Zomba when the board, which is expected to plant 20 000 tree seedlings, launched its tree planting exercise for this season in Zomba Mountain.
Matola indicated that Zomba zone will plant 10 000 trees while the other tree seedlings will be distributed and planted in other zones.
”Previously, the board used to plant pine trees only but this year, indigenous trees have been added to ensure survival rate of trees in case bush fires occurs in the mountain,” he said.
On his part, Zomba district forestry officer Amon Kabango said the department fails to manage Zomba Mountain, which comprises of 5000 hectares, due to financial and human resources challenges.
”The Forestry Department commends the board for easing the burden of planting trees in the mountain and a concession is expected to be made and advertised soon where various stakeholders will be allocated sites to be planting and managing trees,” he said.
Speaking after the exercise, Zomba City Council Mayor Benson Bulla said the council will mainstream the planting exercise in wards advance by planting trees for sustainable potable water supply,” he said.
Source: The Nation_February 4, 2021_By Holyce Kholowa-Correspondent