Chikwawa DC urges forest department to strengthen conservation efforts

Chikwawa District Commissioner, Nardin Kamba, has urged the forest department to take full responsibility for protecting nature and conserving trees in the district.

Kamba made the remarks during a presentation of bylaws on nature conservation, which were revamped by the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM).

Speaking at the event, he attributed the rampant cutting down of trees to weaknesses in the department’s field operations.

“As Chikwawa District, we will work together with EAM, local chiefs, and community members to restore trees that have been cut down,” said Kamba.

Evangelical Association of Malawi Project Coordinator, Chikondi Thyoka, emphasized that the revamped local forest bylaws will ease the enforcement of conservation laws in Chikwawa, a district prone to droughts and floods due to deforestation.

“The bylaws existed but were outdated since 2012. Chiefs will now ensure that community members adhere to them, leading to tree planting and a greener Chikwawa,” Thyoka stated.

The bylaws are being implemented in Traditional Authority Makhuwira and Sub-Traditional Authority Chiputula.