Mutharika launches tree planting season
President Peter Mutharika has today officially launched the 2017/18 tree planting season at an event that took place in Mwanza district with a call for stakeholders to play a leading role in environmental conservation.
In the 2017/2018 tree planting season that is under the theme ‘Restore forests, protect the environment’, over 60 million trees are expected to be planted across the country.
In his address that was monitored on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Television [MBC TV], Mutharika stressed on the need for other stakeholders to emulate steps being taken by the private sector in making sure that trees are being planted in different parts of the country.
Said Mutharika: “There is need for the trees to be taken care of once planted as they help hold the soil and avoid other negative implications that occur due to the unnecessary cutting down of trees. I want Malawi green; I want to see green everywhere.”
Mutharika, who further emphasised the need for unity in the tree planting exercise, said he chose to officially launch the initiative in Mwanza as the communities in the area are always in support of government initiatives.
In his speech, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Aggrey Massi, said his ministry has come up with several strategies that will help to monitor the growth and conservation of trees that will in turn help curb deforestation.
He said: “This day helps us to reflect on the importance of conserving trees in our environment, and while we are reflecting, this day should also help us check on how we manage our natural resources.”
The event took place in Senior Chief Nthache’s area and in his words he hailed the President for making an appeal to chiefs and other stakeholders to take leading role in conserving the environment.
