Bush fire destroys 200 ha in Viphya Plantation

Raiply Malawi Limited says bush fires have in the last three days destroyed at least 200 hectares (ha) in Viphya Plantation’s Champhoyo section with 70 percent damage.

The company’s spokesperson Dalitso Chimwala has since appealed to communities and all Malawians to desist from starting fires in the plantation.

He said: “Our worry is that rains are almost two months away and in the intervening time, with strong winds blowing and high temperatures, we fear for the worst.

“People must not forget that there are several rivers originating from the forest, which will obviously dry up if the recently experienced degradation continues.”

Chimwala said bush fires have become an annual problem for the company, as between August and November last year, they also lost 34 ha of pine trees to bush fires.

“We, therefore, wish to appeal to everyone to join hands with us in sustainable management of the forest, by treating fire as something that causes destruction within minutes.

“Huge hectares have been lost in the last three days because some irresponsible people decided to start a fire in the forest.”

Walura ward councillor Victor Muva (Independent) said yesterday that he suspected the fire was started by people who migrated to the area.

“Some of these people want to continue stealing trees for timber,” he said.

Raiply Malawi Limited processes wood products on a-20 000 ha bloc in  Viphya Plantation, widely known as Chikangawa Forest, which is located in Mzimba and Nkhata Bay districts.

Raiply started its operations in 1999 after sealing a deal to manage 20 000ha plantation owned by the Department of Forestry.