Editors PickNational News

Mutharika pleads for environment protection

President Peter Mutharika on Monday pleaded with Malawians to plant more trees and replenish forests, warning that continued neglect of the environment will only wipe people out of existence.

He said this at the launch of the 2015/16 National Forestry Season at Masasa CCAP Primary School ground in Ntcheu. This year’s theme is Arrest Deforestation—Plant Trees and Conserve Forests.

Mutharika planting a tree at Masasa Primary School in Ntcheu
Mutharika planting a tree at Masasa Primary School in Ntcheu

Government expects 60 million trees to be planted during the four-month season ending in April.

Mutharika said last year’s floods were a result of extreme weather caused by environmental degradation.

He said it is estimated that one to four percent of the country’s forest cover is lost every year due to construction, unsustainable agriculture practices and charcoal production, among other actors.

Said the President: “Mankind is paying tragic consequences everywhere. The great catastrophe of floods that nearly wiped Malawi from the face of the earth last year is the tragedy of climate change.

“The loss of life and property, the floods, droughts, erratic rains, hunger and the emergence of strange diseases is all the rebellion of nature against man. And we have all seen how natural disaster can sabotage and frustrate our agro-based economy and cause the suffering of many souls.”

Mutharika challenged people to do soul-searching on what happened to village forests, green hills and mountains which provided fruits for essential immunities and medicine.

He also took a swipe at those who, he said, are unashamedly smuggling out of the country precious wood such as mukula, tsanya and nkalati.

“Any crime against our environment is a crime against you and me. My Government will not accept this behavior. Any person involved in smuggling round wood will face the law and there will be no mercy. Destroying the environment is trying to wipe us all out of existence,” said Mutharika.

Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Bright Msaka urged people to plant 12 tree-seedlings each during the season.

Related Articles

Back to top button