Salima for tougher environment by-laws
Salima District Council says it is working on tightening environmental by-laws to curb deforestation which has been singled out as the cause of persistent floods in the district.
Salima District Council chairperson Evance Mpayeni said this yesterday when Kids in Need Deserve Love and Encouragement (Kindle) awarded 10 villages in Traditional Authority Kalonga for ensuring the survival of the trees they plant every year.
Waya I village head (L)
He said the council has noted that deforestation is becoming rampant in the district mostly because of charcoal production.
“Most of the charcoal that is used in Lilongwe is produced illegally in Salima. We want to end this malpractice,” he said.
Mpayeni said existing environmental by-laws have not been reviewed for a long time.
“We expect the reviewed by-laws to be ready by next month. Among others, there will be stiff punishments for the people cutting trees illegally,” he said.
Kindle executive director Joseph Kandiyesa said they awarded the villages to promote care of trees in the district.
“Mostly, people just plant trees without looking after them. In the end, the tree planting exercise becomes worthless if the trees do not grow,” he said.
Waya I Village won the K450 000 grand prize for attaining a higher tree survival rate. n
