As part of commemorating World Environment Day, and International Biodiversity Day, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, through the Environmental Affairs Department held a joint celebration at Chongole Full Primary School near Chia Lagoon in Nkhotakota District.
The event, presided over by Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, brought together local leaders, environmentalists, school children, and community members under the theme “Live in Harmony with Nature, End Plastic Pollution for Sustainable Development.”
Situated approximately 24 kilometres south of Nkhotakota town, Chia Lagoon is Malawi’s largest lagoon, covering about 17 square kilometres and supporting diverse aquatic and avian species. The area is a vital ecological zone, sustaining the livelihoods of over 7,800 households who depend on farming, fishing, and bird hunting.
In his keynote address, Chomanika underscored the urgent need to halt plastic pollution, which threatens biodiversity and disrupts natural ecosystems such as Chia Lagoon. He lauded community efforts and encouraged increased environmental stewardship to safeguard Malawi’s natural heritage.
The celebrations were marked by traditional dances, boat rides, and an eco-tour of the lagoon to appreciate its rich biodiversity. Attendees marvelled at species such as the Banded Tilapia and birdlife including the Black Heron, Ring-necked Dove, and Lesser Masked Weaver.
The event also spotlighted recent conservation efforts led by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), BirdLife International, and Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). These initiatives include habitat restoration, establishment of bird sanctuaries, and sustainable hunting groups.
Over 6,000 trees have already been planted, and nursery activities for over 13,000 seedlings are ongoing, aiming to rehabilitate degraded land surrounding the lagoon.
Additionally, the community-focused “Waterbird Resources Management” project funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative has seen locals, particularly women, trained in bird guiding and supported through microloans to foster eco-tourism and alternative livelihoods.
With its remarkable natural endowment, Chia Lagoon remains a hidden gem poised to boost tourism and biodiversity conservation in central Malawi. The joint commemoration served as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect such treasures for the benefit of present and future generations.
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