Community Energy Malawi a Non-Governmental Organisation promoting the use of solar technologies has appealed to chiefs in Zomba to champion the planting of trees in graveyards.
Speaking Friday at Mkanda in the area of Senior Chief Mulumbe, Programmes Director for Community Energy Malawi, Memory Suwedi, said most of the graveyards are now bare due to massive deforestation.
Suwedi said graveyards used to have thick forests and no one was allowed to cut trees there willingly.
The programme manager said as part of contributing to the national reforestation programme, the organisation has distributed 5000 seedlings of both exotic and indigenous trees to cooperatives in the district.
District Assistant Forestry Officer, Yassin Lamusi concurred with Suwedi and urged community members to join hands inredressing environment-related challenges.
Senior Chief Mulumbe, who was the guest of honour, said cutting down trees has become a norm among Malawians.
Mlumbe promised to strengthen by-laws to improve on replanting and caring for trees.
By Emily M’mangisa, MANA
