Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V of Mzimba has urged communities in the district to plant and conserve trees to restore depleted forests.
M’mbelwa made the remarks at Mangombera Primary School in Traditional Authority Mpherembe when launching the district’s tree planting season.
“We need to conserve our forests by avoiding cutting down of trees and planting more trees. We also need to join efforts by the forestry department in dealing with depletion of trees by forming teams that should be working hand in hand in protecting our forests,” he said.
M’mbelwa lamented charcoal production in forests such as Perekezi, urging communities to start guarding forests as most of the charcoal producers are not from Mzimba.
Chairperson for M’mbelwa District Council, Morgan Tembo, said most forests in Mzimba are losing trees because of charcoal producers.
“There is a need to join hands to fight against deforestation. We risk losing out natural forests if we don’t control charcoal burners,” said Tembo.
District Forestry Officer for Mzimba, Masozi Shaba, said the district is earmarking to plant 5 million trees in the 2024/2025 tree planting season.
By Joel Phiri, MANA
