Government to plant 60 million trees—Muluzi
Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Atupele Muluzi says over 60 million trees are expected to be planted in this year’s tree-planting season as one way of conserving and protecting Malawi’s climate, natural resources and environment.
Making his presentation in Parliament, Muluzi said there is need to speed up the management of the environment to reverse the devastating effects of deforestation in the country.
He said last year, over 58 million trees were planted during the 2014 tree planting season, with an estimated survival rate of 60-75 percent.
Said Muluzi: “One notable and encouraging factor we observed is that this year the private sector has come forward to participate in the tree-planting season. This should be commended as it shows willingness to work with government in managing and reversing devastating effects of deforestation in the country,”
He added that government supported 40 tree-planting communities in no less than six districts and carried out 140 farmer trainings covering over 5 000 farmers and 800 extension workers in the Shire River Basin that includes Balaka, Blantyre, Mwanza and Neno.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe City Centre(Independent), David Bisnowatty called for government’s speedy action in encouraging people to replant trees. He said the country might turn into a desert if re-forestation activities are not encouraged.
