By Austine Kananji                                                                               

Lilongwe, June 6, Mana: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, has urged Malawians to take a decisive action and shared responsibility and work together to protect natural heritage.

Chomanika said this Thursday during commemoration of the 2025 International Day for Biological Biodiversity and World Environment Day held at Chongole Primary School Ground in Nkhotakota.

He stated that time for decisive action is now and Malawians should embrace the shared responsibility.

He highlighted that government’s action alone is not enough as protecting the environment and biodiversity requires collective efforts that demands active participation of each and everyone.

“Let us renew our resolve to restore our land, protect our forests, and tackle the scourge of waste pollution. Let this occasion serve not only as a moment of reflection but as a united commitment to bold, collective action for the future of Malawi,” Chomanika said.

He said challenges like land degradation and deforestation compounded by waste pollution, particularly from the plastics, which is non-biodegradable has diminished biodiversity but also undermined natural systems that protect climate shocks and sustains water resources.

He, therefore, urged business persons to adopt sustainable practices; communities to champion conservation initiatives; educators to instil environmental awareness in the youth, and every citizen to make conscious choices that minimize environmental footprint.

Director General for Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Dr Wilfred Kadewa, said it is doable to end the escalating plastic pollution and the other interconnected challenges affecting the environment in order to have a clean environment.

“It requires us to take part and not be spectators as it is not just for MEPA or Department of Environment Affairs or Government because they are custodians. Every stakeholder must play their role for a clean environment,” he said.

World Environment Day, which is commemorated on June 5 each year, is globally being commemorated under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ while International Day of Biological Diversity, which is globally held on May 22, was being commemorated under the theme ‘Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development’.