Southern Region Forestry Department says the zone has planted about six million trees out of the targeted 10 million in the 2024/25 National Forestry Season.
The zone’s law enforcement officer Joe M’bang’ombe has since called for more partners to achieve the target.
He said this on Saturday when Malawi Public Universities Students’ Union planted trees at Michiru Mountain in Blantyre.
M’bang’ombe said the 10 million target is out of the 42 million national target.
Despite the progress, he said there has been the persistent challenge of deforestation due to, among other areas, charcoal production.
“Deforestation is serious in the Southern Region due to charcoal production. Unfortunately, there are few forestry officers to patrol forests. Just imagine, Michiru Forest Reserve is almost 4 600 hectares and it is difficult for 57 officers to patrol the whole area,” he said.
The union’s president Gershom Nyirenda said as students, they understand the role they can play to conserve the environment.
He urged other students and young people to plant more trees.
Said Nyirenda: “Young people can help address climate change shocks through their participation in tree-planting activities.
“As you have heard, the country needs to plant about 42 million trees, so we ask the youth to plant more trees.”
