Shire Valley Transformation Program (SVTP) has donated vehicles and motorcycles to Ministries of Tourism, Natural Resources and Climate Change in a bid to help in natural resources conservation.
Speaking in Blantyre during the handover of the vehicles and motorcycles on Friday, Deputy Director of Irrigation in the Ministry of Agriculture, Winston Savala said irrigation can only be sustained if natural resources are conserved.
“Irrigation is not possible with destroyed natural resources. These two ministries deal with natural resources. But the management of these resources is facing some challenges including the depletion of other things that affect the availability of water for irrigation. So this donation will help in addressing these problems, we have donated the cars to help in the protection of the environment,” Savala said.
With funding from the World Bank, the SVTP has donated 6 Toyota Land-cruisers, a lorry and over 20 motorcycles.
Reacting to the assistance, Director of Forestry, Titus Zulu said mobility challenges make it difficult to enforce the laws.
“Protected forest reserves are under intense invasion by communities who want to harvest wood. So we are thankful for the cars and motorcycles that will help in the protection of the reserves,” said Zulu.
Meanwhile, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Tourism, Esther Nyirenda has said the vehicles will help in patrolling Lengwe National Park, Mwavi Game Reserve and the Elephant Marsh.
By Kondwani Chinele
