Communities key in achieving tree survival

Every year, Malawi plants millions of trees during the forestry season which starts from December to April in a bid to restore vegetative cover.

Large hectares of land are now laid bare due to massive deforestation following wanton cutting down of trees for timber, charcoal production and poor farming practices.

But the reforestation drive is not bearing fruits as official statistics shows that over 100 million trees planted between 2016 and 2022 have not survived.

Figures from the department of forestry show that only 201 million trees survived covering about 121 hectares of land, despite investing billions of kwachas in the tree planting exercise.

This is attributed to poor selection of tree seedlings to suit a particular ecological environment, bush fires, animal grazing as well as a lack of involvement of communities to safeguards the trees. 

The situation has moved the Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) to involve local communities in caring for 5, 000 trees recently planted at Lisungwi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Neno district.

The area is along Phwazi River which feeds the Shire River, a very important catchment zone for EGENCO in its hydro power generation.

EGENCO which plans to plant 35, 000 trees this year, has engaged the Lisungwi CDSS forestry group, which also comprises four villages to take care of the new trees to endure 100 percent survival.

“We will draw a roster for the communities and learners to be rotating in watering the plants because usually this area does not receive enough rains. We have four villages surrounding this school, so we are hopeful that all the trees will survive,” said the group patron Chiwa Mmambo.

According to Mambo, the group has passionate learners who acknowledged the importance of tree cover around the school apart from conserving the catchment area for power generation purposes.

“It will not be difficult to care for the 5000 trees considering that we have 20 learners as members of the forestry group, which is a significant number which will be complimented by community members,” Mmambo assured.

EGENCO has since provided 10 water cans, hoes, slashers, and wheelbarrows to the forestry group to ensure it has adequate resources to motivate them in caring for the trees.

Acting Chief Executive Officer for EGENCO Maxon Chitawo envisages achieving 90 percent tree survival from the 35, 000 trees to be planted this year in the catchment areas.

“Our goal is to have a 90 percent survival rate. We value the interest expressed by communities here in caring for the trees and it is very encouraging to have students being involved in this exercise,” Chitawo said during the launch of tree planting exercise which was presided over by energy minister Ibrahim Matola.

The power company has launched the exercise under the theme “Forest Innovation in Action, Reforestation for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.

In the 2023/2024 forestry season, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is targeting to plant a total of 34 million tree seedlings, across Malawi, in an effort to turn the country into a green nation.

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