Speaking after planting trees at State House President Mutharika said the exercise was also part of BEAM as trees help in beautifying the country.

 “This is my house where I have planted trees and I encourage all Malawians to do the same in their homes. They can plant any type of trees either ordinary or fruit trees,” said Mutharika.

Professor Mutharika  encouraged people in the country to water trees after the rains have stopped saying that each year 50 per cent of the trees fails to grow after planting, but hope that this year 60 to 70 per cent of the trees will survive.

Lilongwe City Council Mayor, Willie Chapondela said they want to plant 1,500 palm trees from State House gate to Parliament Building in Lilongwe by the end of this 2015/16 tree planting season.

He added that the trees would add beauty to the road when they grow and the land would no longer look bare.

BEAM Chairperson, Mayamiko Mwinjiro said they are expecting to plant 20,000 to 30,000 trees by the end of this year’s tree planting season.

President Mutharika led the nation in 2015/16 trees planting exercise in Ntcheu on January 18, 2016.