Protect environment, says NGO
Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (Cepa) has urged people in Machinga District to conserve the environment.
Speaking on Sunday during a football bonanza in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chamba organised to sensitise communities to the newly-enacted forestry and land laws, Cepa project coordinator Alfred Kambwiri said people should ensure that the environment is not under pressure.
“People look at environmental issues as things not connected to them. For example, we are lamenting about environmental degradation caused by deforestation,” he said.
But Kambwiri expressed optimism that through the new forestry and land laws, people will protect forestry resources in the district.
Machinga first grade magistrate Austin Kamanga said lack of knowledge on new forestry and land laws was contributing to environmental degradation.
“There is need to conduct more awareness campaigns to communities on the consequences that they may encounter once they have been arrested for destroying natural resources,” he said.
Kamanga urged government to provide alternative economic activities to people in rural areas to reduce the dependence on forestry resources.
Machinga District Council chairperson Richard Matenje commended Cepa for engaging communities on environmental issues.
Anafi Willard, from T/A Chamba said he will encourage people to plant trees on Chikala Hills.
With funding from USAid, Cepa is implementing Strengthening Inclusive Agriculture Sector Growth and Sustainable Natural Resources Governance in Malawi in Lilongwe, Mchinji, Balaka and Machinga districts.
