Viphya Forest suffers 350 fires
Viphya Forest will be wiped out by 2017 unless Malawians take drastic steps to stop the menace, Raiply chief executive officer Thomas Oomen has warned.
The warning comes at a time over 300 uncurbed fires have annihilated nearly 2 000 hectares of newly planted trees as well as vast swathes ready for harvesting this year.
The summer fires dating back to September could be the most devastating in recent history, over three times worse than the spates that destroyed about 600 hectares last year.
Raiply, a company operating in a 20 000-hectare concessional area, reckoned Malawians will have nobody to blame for the loss resulting from reckless fires, illegal logging and unlicensed timber making.
Disgruntled workers, communities and sawyers are often blamed for setting up the fires, but Oomen implores: “Let’s join hands and protect the forest for the next generation to reap the fruits of this national treasure. At this rate, the forest will be gone in two or three years.”
Plantation manager Custom Munthali feels it is possible to restore the lost glory of the country’s largest forest if people worked together.
However, Oomen says replanting is “a waste of money and time” without safeguarding the remaining trees.
“Most of the trees are dying before reaching five years, meaning we have to replant again. We are just burning our money. This is money which Raiply and Government could have used to develop the country,” said Oomen.
He wondered: “What do you gain by burning the forest? If there are burning issues, why don’t we come together to solve the disagreements amicably?”
This year, Raiply has reportedly recorded 357 fire incidents in the hugely ransacked forest in Mzimba.
The figures point to a graver crisis as 23 774 hactares have gone up in smoke since the wood processing company signed the concession with government in 1999.
The police are investigating a case in which firewood collectors are suspected to have set ablaze nearly 115 hectares of nine-year-old trees at Msese in September.
Also gone up in smoke are 165 hectares of trees at Nthungwa which Raiply and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) planted in March this year.
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has formed community policing units in traditional authorities Kabunduli, Muzikubola and Kampingo Sibande to combat the crime and disseminate information in areas surrounding the forest.
Speaking at the launch of the community-based approach on Saturday, Northern Region Police Commissioner Martha Suwedi asked the locals to take part in ending the malpractices and amicably settling disputes fuelling the devastating fire.
