By Shaffie Bakali

Mangochi, February 3, Mana: Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana Chapota Kakhobwe has said tree planting exercise is vital in securing healthy rain cycle, which leads to sustainable water resources.

Kakhobwe made the remarks Thursday during the tree planting exercise at Lingamasa Catchment Area in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe in Mangochi District.

The tree planting ceremony was organized by National Water Resource Authority (NWRA), through the Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP), with funding from the World Bank.

Kakhobwe urged communities across Mangochi to embrace the tree planting exercise, saying the exercise is not intended for catchment areas only.

“In order for the impact of this exercise to be seen, it needs sustainability efforts. As such, this should not be done at catchment areas only but I encourage you all to continue with it at individual level, thus planting trees in your respective homes so that we can have whole year vegetative cover,” she said.

She added that the exercise is in response to the plea that was made by President Lazarus Chakwera during the launch of tree planting exercise in Phalombe.

In his remarks, NWRA board chairperson Engineer James Mambulu said his organization is committed to conserve environment and water with the aim of ensuring access to clean water to the citizens.

Mambulu therefore expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project, saying with the support from the Ministry of Water and other stakeholders, the project is progressing well in 19 catchment areas across the country.

Senior Chief Chowe has since hailed government and NWRA for the provision of resources, such as funds and motorcycles.

Chowe then assured the stakeholders that his subordinates will work tirelessly to ensure the funds are used efficiently.

During the ceremony, NWRA distributed funds amounting to over K3 million for the implementation of reforestation exercise to Lingamasa of Mangochi as well as Lower Livilizi of Balaka catchment management committees.

The authority has also distributed 10,000 tree seedlings to the same catchment management committees, including donating four motorcycles as a way of easing transportation of catchment advisors.