Communities formulate by-laws to protect forests
Communities around Iponga hills in Senior Chief Mwakaboko in Karonga District have formulated by-laws to protect natural forests.
Speaking during a tree-planting exercise on Monday, group village head Mwakaboko said people cut down trees for charcoal production.
“The by-laws will protect forests. Anyone found cutting trees will pay K30 000 fine and asked to plant 10 more trees,” he said.
Mwakaboko Village Natural Resources management committee chairperson Keston Kayuni said vegetative cover prevents soil erosion and floods.
“I pray that traditional leaders should enforce the by-laws to protect the forests from charcoal-makers,” he said.
Karonga district assistant forestry officer Kingston Tembo commended community members for the by-laws.
He said the district, in partnership with Homi organisation, plans to plant 1.5 million trees during this tree-planting season.
Karonga district Homi project coordinator Welani Mbaso said they want to enhance government’s efforts to reforest depleted landscapes.
With funding from Terraformation of Hawaii in the United States of America, Homi is implementing a five-year Enhancing Native Forest Restoration in Malawi Project in the district.
