 |
 |
 |
 |
National
Malawi plants over 360 million trees -Bingu
| January 4, 2012 · 19 Comments |
In its efforts to mitigate the destructive effects of climate change, Malawi has reportedly planted about 363 million trees across the country over the last seven years.
This was disclosed Wednesday by President Bingu wa Mutharika in Zomba when he launched the 2011-2012 National Tree Planting Season.
However, environmental experts feel the figure is far much below if compared to the demand for fuel wood in the country where just about 10 percent of the population has direct access to electricity.
File photo: Mutharika planting a tree
Mutharika said since taking over government in 2004, he has personally taken interest in encouraging Malawians to plant trees and out the 363 million planted about 240 million have survived.
“From 2004, my government has planted 363 million trees…240 million trees have survived so you can imagine that it is an inspiring and effective programme,” Mutharika told hundreds of people who gathered at Sekwele Primary School in the area of TA Mwambo.
The Malawi leader said the 240 million trees are covering an area of 123 000 hectares which was previously bare.
During the 2011-2012 Tree Planting Season, Malawi is expected to plant 60 million trees, just 2.8 million more than 57.2 million trees, planted during the 2010-2011 season, out of which about 65 percent survived, according to Nyuma Mughogho, Assistant Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment.
Climate change
President Mutharika observed that just like in other countries, climate change has not spared the country and was creating untold tragedies to Malawians.
He reminded them that most of the disasters were as a result of harmful human activities being carried out such as unnecessary cutting down of trees.
“We all experience the damaging effects of climate change… That is why I want to remind you that every time you cut one tree, you are encouraging climate change, the same thing if you plant one tree you are discouraging climate change,” said Mutharika.
The president also said the importance of forests and trees in human welfare was increasingly recognized as such it was essential for every person to take a responsibility of conserving the trees by ensuring that every bare land is forested.
“Everyone knows the importance of forests and trees… They are a source of firewood, timber, wild fruits, bush meat, they also provide us pharmaceuticals. So they are very important in our livelihoods.
“From today, I want to ask you that for every tree you cut down plant three. I want in 10 years time where there are no trees we should have trees, especially along the river banks. This is not difficult to do, we don’t need aid from outside to do this even with zero budget we can do it,” urged Mutharika.
Conserve forests
Before the official launch, Mutharika planted two trees of mango and mmbawa at Mulawira village where he also toured a two-hectare village forest.
Malawi observes the Tree Planting Season from 15th December to 15 April of next year. Initially, Mutharika started with national forestry week, then change the following year to national forestry month before extending it to five months to become a season.
The theme for this year is “Conserve Forests and Trees; Mitigate Climate Change” which is exactly the same theme used during the 2009-2010 season.
The official launch of last season (2010-2011) was held at Manoro in Mzimba district while for 2009-2010 it was in Chiradzulu district in the area of TA Nkalo and Mutharika presided over both launches.
Apart from forests helping in maintaining air, water and soil quality, influencing biochemical processes and controlling soil erosion, among others, in Malawi the rural dwellers, who make up the majority of the population, rely largely on them for their daily basic needs in the form of fuelwood and other bush foods, construction materials, agricultural tools and medicinal plants.
And about 90 per cent of Malawi’s energy requirements is satisfied by wood fuels derived from natural and planted forests and trees on farms. However, statistics indicate that annually the country is losing over 100 million trees.
|
|
Tags: Bingu wa Mutharika, climate change
19 Responses to “Malawi plants over 360 million trees -Bingu”
Leave a Reply
- Girl-child education key to safe motherhood -JB
- Soccer – a growing death trap?
- Positive mindset: African’s way to prosperity
- Lipenga at it again: Bingu was too hasty on ‘Nsanje Slab’
- MRA continues sexing up figures
- Malawi ‘bisexual’ mum fights deportation from UK
- ACB arrests fierce DPP youth governor over YEDEF loans
- Scrap off retrogressive taxes, IBAM says
- Peter Mutharika shunned at Cup presentation
- Paladin, Malawi workers agree to end Kayelekera mine strike
N/A
Polls
Loading ...
I share the cynicism expressed by others on this forum. There was no evidence of any serious efforts to address deforestation when I visited Malawi last year. I was reduced almost to tears when I saw the wanton devastation that has for years been visited upon Chiradzulu mountain, which now stands unclothed, denuded of its trees. This has happened under the government’s watch. No one, it seems to me, has bothered to address the problem. When I raised the plight of Chiradzulu mountain with a high ranking official in the forestry ministry, I was greeted with indifference and nonchalance. The National Tree Planting Season initiative is a good policy position. But like every public policy position, it cannot achieve its objectives if it is not translated into real action on the ground. My heart will not rest until Chiradzulu mountain is fully revegetated and returned to its previous glory. If anyone in authority ever bothers to read these commentaries, please take my lament seriously, I beg you!
Like
1
ReplyThe personnel at Ministry of Natural Resources,Department of Forestry are liars. There is no way that 360 Million trees were planted in Malawi, Where were these tress planted? It shows that Bingu is indeed an idiot, how can a president say such statement in his speeches without questioning his civil servants who prepare his speaches
Like
0
ReplyNchifukwa chake anzanu akapanga ma crop inspection tour kukana kunamizidwa ngati izi
Like
0
ReplyWhere are these trees? On paper or on land? 363 million and bare land is more noticeable now than ever before. Where are we planting? in our pockets perhaps. Let us be honest with ourselves, we need to change the way we do things eg the Forestry Dept buying tree seedlings in May and saying they will keep them til next rainy season what kind of planning is that? how do they survive the September – December scorching sun? watering? who waters – the civil servants that go to work as and when they wish? Re-afforestration efforts will not be noticed in this land unless we COMPLETELY change the way we do things. Right now rain is falling and you can check if that dept has bought any seedling – u know the answer. what pains me is that the funds used are tax payers money yet no tree can be pointed at. Fumbi ndiwe mwini tiyambe kudzikonda tokha amalawi and do things that will help ife tomwe, its not some donor that will benefit from these trees. I look forward to that time the land was covered with trees one could not see area 25 as they travel from the airport or see salima road from the airport road. Gob bless Malawi
Like
2
ReplyThe question is not whether Malawi is planting trees year after year. The question is, “Where are the trees we plant year in year out?” Why are the hills and river sides bear and becoming ever brown than green? It is not enough to take credit for planting trees – we need to show the planted trees!
Like
2
ReplyThe number 1 reason for the clearing of trees here is the need for more land for cultivation. So even if all people were to have access to electricity (unrealistic if one considers that over 90% according to last census still rely on firewood or charcoal) pressure on land and the environment will not decrease. Trees are essential for the climate in Malawi as well as for the soil conditions for crops.
A myopic view of the energy problem in Malawi that does not account for our environment is not going to help our country in the long-run. Basi.
Like
3
ReplyHOWEVER – this figure is very ambiguous, many of the “trees” in this huge number are actually just seedlings in tree nurseries. Who is checking that they actually are then planted out and become established trees?
Like
2
ReplyMuthu wakula uyu ndiye faz ikungomupatsa mastatics openga.awo anali aforest ndiye panali a custom anampengetsa zamagalito olowa malawi,azanyengo angomudoda.pompano afoilitsa ndi agriculture.gogo bingu azingopusitsani ndi ma figure abodza
Like
1
ReplyWhats the point of planting more trees when you cannot fixes escom and bring electricity to 90% of the population who need it.
For every tree you plant 20 go down, anthu akuphikila. 13million malawians need energy and charcoal or fired wood is the easiest and cheapest alternative if you cannot provide them with electricity.
340million trees were planted in your dream, 360m trees is equivalent to 4 chikangawas. where are the trees?
Like
1
Reply