Companies urged to join tree planting campaign

Chief director in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Yanira Ntupanyama has called on organisations to support government in the ongoing tree planting exercise.

She made the remarks on Sunday at Chimteka Village in Traditional Authority Simphasi in Mchinji during the launch of a tree planting exercise organised by Aret and Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama).

She commended Aret and Tama management for their efforts in encouraging tobacco farmers to plant trees and reverse the current deforestation trend in the country.
Ntupanyama urged the people to take good care of the planted trees, saying tree planting on its own cannot bring back depleted forests.

“It has been noted that every year people plant trees but about 40 percent die due to lack of management and care. It is my hope, therefore, that the farming community of Chimteka village and other places properly look after the new planted trees to improve survival rates,” She added.

Tama president Reuben Maigwa said the joint tree exercise aims at reminding tobacco growers on the need to plant trees every year to conserve nature.
During the launch 2 500 tree seedlings donated by Aret and Tama were planted. 