Raiply loses 34ha of trees to bushfire

Raiply (Malawi ) Limited says it has lost 34 hectares (ha) of pine trees to bushfire in Vipya Plantation between August and November this year.

Speaking yesterday during a press briefing in Mzuzu, Raiply spokesperson Dalitso Chimwala said the portion affected by the fire in the plantation contains both matured and young trees.

He said despite efforts to tame fire occurrences, unknown people still find their way to burn trees in the company’s concession area.

“From August this year, fire outbreaks have affected 34ha of trees and we need to replant,” said Chimwala.

Raiply chief executive officer Krishna Das said if processed, 1 000ha of matured trees is worth over K2 billion.

He valued the 34ha of trees destroyed this year at K68 million.

He said it was sad that some people are deliberately burning the forest.

However, Das said the company is still investing in replanting trees in the plantation.

“Last year, the company planted trees on 1 135ha. This year, we plan to plant trees on 1 000ha because we believe in sustainable management of the forest,” he said.

In a separate interview, Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change deputy director of forestry Kasizo Chirambo said they have people in place to check the occurrence of the bushfires in all plantations across the country.

“But some individuals beat their security system and burn the forests during the night,” he said.

Raiply (Malawi) Limited processes wood products on a 20 000ha bloc in the country’s largest manmade forest, Viphya Plantation located largely in Mzimba and partly in Nkhata Bay.

Raiply started operating in 1999 after sealing a deal to manage 20 000ha plantation owned by the Department of Forestry.