Government officials, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and judiciary representatives have called for an urgent action to protect Malawi’s environment and strengthen enforcement of environmental laws—especially in areas like the Lake Chilwa Basin in Zomba District that are facing serious biodiversity loss.
Zomba Chief Resident Magistrate, Ellen Chapita Banda, emphasised the judiciary’s role in enforcing climate and environmental laws.
Banda noted that citizens should take legal action against those harming the environment.
She also said serious offenses related to environmental degradation can lead up to a K10 million fine or a jail term of up to 10 years.
Chairperson of Civil Society Network on Climate Change on Adaptation, Loss and Damage and Agriculture Working Group, Chimwemwe Sakunda, warned that Lake Chilwa continues to lose biodiversity, including tree cover, birds, and fish species.
Sakunda said CSOs are helping support the government’s efforts through awareness campaigns and restoration initiatives under the Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA)-funded project.
District Fisheries Officer for Zomba, Elliot Lungu, said Lake Chilwa’s fish population has begun to recover following Cyclone Freddy due to increased water levels. However, he stressed that long-term challenges to biodiversity remain.
Mwayi Mkanthama from the Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) said that addressing these challenges requires proper financing and stronger enforcement of environmental laws.
CISONECC Programme Manager, Ruth Likambale, who was speaking on behalf of the National Coordinator, said the workshop provided an opportunity to assess ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity and manage natural resources in the Lake Chilwa Basin.
By Hellen Luwayo, Balaka
