Dedza District Council has declared that 225 hectares of Kambuzinyomi Hill Forest in the area of Senior Chief Kachere, is now under community protection.
Supported by the World Bank through the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works initiative, the district council is covering 24 environmental conservation catchment areas, involving 22,547 participants.
Group Village Head Sefasi noted that his subjects have realised the importance of protecting forests by enhancing by-laws.
He praised the government’s support through the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works programme and urged fellow traditional leaders to encourage their communities to preserve tree regeneration to restore biodiversity.
Lobi Agricultural Extension Development Officer, Mayani Mafosha, commented on the development, stating that the Liwenga Catchment Area, which includes Kambuzinyomi, has 1,200 participants working on protection efforts.
According to Mafosha, participants in the 2022 to 2023 season received payments after working for 24 days, bringing environmental and economic benefits to households.
One participant, Alinafe Gumbo from Sefasi Village, described the initiative as a poverty eradicator.
Joseph Kenson Sakala, Co-ordinator for Youth for Environment and Sustainable Development, commended the efforts of the people of Group Village Head Sefasi in preserving and conserving the environment in Dedza.
