has launched a campaign to plant 300 hectares with trees by 2025 to counter environmental degradation in the capital city.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, the city’s mayor Juliana Kaduya said the initiative dubbed Lilongwe Greening Campaign is targeting cemeteries, schools, riverine buffer zones and road sides.
floods occurrences
“Restoring the city’s degraded natural assets and habitats will improve urban biodiversity, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality and supply and reduce impacts of major flood events, thus increasing climate resilience of the city’s residents,” she said.
The mayor said for the campaign to succeed, it will require the financial and moral commitment of residents, non-governmental organisations and the corporate world, among other sectors.
Lilongwe Chapter of the Global Landscapes Forum coordinator Steve Makungwa said they have designated special tree varieties for specific areas.
He said: “There are some trees that consume a lot of water, for example bluegum. These cannot be planted along the rivers.
“We will also not plant trees whose root system can disrupt water pipes along roads.”
The campaign is expected to start this year when the government launches the National Forestry Season which runs from December to April
PHOTOGRAPH: NATION
