Politicians blamed for Mt. Mulanje degradation

WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR
Traditional leaders in Phalombe and Mulanje have accused politicians of perpetuating lawlessness in the harvesting of cedar and other tree species from Mulanje Mountain.
The chiefs made the remarks when enacting by-laws and a declaration on the protection of the mountain last Wednesday.
The Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) facilitated the formulation of the by-laws and signing of the declaration, which seeks chiefs and communities’ commitment to the protection of the mountain.
Senior Chief Chikumbu said chiefs and their subjects are committed to protecting the mountain from any damage. But she lamented political interference has been their major stumbling block.
Observing that Mulanje Mountain would not have been in a sorry state it is today if it were not for the interference of ‘greedy’ politicians, Chikumbu described some politicians as hypocrites.
Said the chief: “There are some politicians who are hypocrites. They pretend to care about the mountain, when they are, in fact, the ones causing more damage to it. They are hypocrites and we know them!”
Chikumbu said chiefs and communities have agreed to deal with any politician who wants to use the mountain to garner ‘cheap political support’ in the future.
Senior Chief Chiwalo of Phalombe said communities surrounding the mountain are committed to fighting climate change by planting more trees in their areas, but have asked the Forestry Department to assist them with seedlings when the need arises.
Chiwalo said their subjects have noticed the effects of climate change continue impacting negatively on their agricultural activities; hence, they would like to be part of the solution to the problem.
“We are asking the Forestry Department to always assist us with seedlings so that we replenish the cut-down trees round the mountain,” he said.