Chiefs sign by-laws to protect Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve
Traditional leaders in the districts of Mulanje and Phalombe have signed by-laws in a bid to protect the endangered Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve.
One of the by-laws, for examples, suggests a 10 year imprisonment with hard labour for anyone caught cutting down trees in the Forest.
Phalombe District Commissioner (DC) Patrick Kalilombe, who alongside his Mulanje counterpart brought together the chiefs, said “it was necessary to hold the meeting with the chiefs because they are equally concerned with the state of the Forest reserve.”
Prior to the signing of the by-laws, the chiefs underwent a 2-day workshop at Hapuwani Lodge in Mulanje in which they discussed issues to do with the Forest such as the setting in of firebreaks and increasing the number of employees.
Senior Chief Chikumbu of Mulanje said the “by-laws will go a long way in protecting the Forest Reserve.”
Mulanje Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in Africa, is one of the most endangered natural resources in Malawi due to mining activities.
The Mountain has a very rich forest reserve, which is a home to a rich and diverse endemic plant and animal species. It is also a catchment of headwaters and a source of nine perennial rivers and streams.
It measures approximately 13 by 16 miles and has a maximum elevation of 3 002 m at its highest point, Sapitwa peak.
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Anthu ofunikila pa nkhaniyi ndi mafumu ozungulila philili yes winiko akhonza kumaoneka ngati opusa koma amati wamisala anaona nkhondo njira ina mafumu ozungulira phiri alembedwe ngati azilonda a forest azilipidwa like what conforzi do zizachepa a mmct omwewo ndiye akulemerera phililo i have worked in mj and pe i know kuti munthu uduse ndi mayabwa upase ndalama a mmct pano kwa mkando even mangochi akupita matabwa mu bangwe nkhuni zikulowa
But MMCT shud not involve kayembe munthu wa nkhanza ngati ameneyu have never seen. Vuto lokulila kumudzi mxi
in fact its MMCT that funded them osati MP opanda gas uja
How I wish somebody would remember the wonderful Zomba Plateau and do the same for this giant of nature! For some of us, we cannot imagine a naked Zomba Plateau, this giant of nature that has provided resources for a living to many in this wonderful old city.
Please implement what you have discussed. Good luck.
Government want to protect Mulanje forests but can’t protect Chikangawa. They want to destroy Chikangawa forest so that when federation comes, northerners will have nothing.
Nanga a MMCT sanawapange involve? They were doing this firebreak etc all along.
What is really the point of making bye-laws like the one asking for a 10 year sentence in prison? Do our courts met out a sentence this long based on a bye-law?
The experienced and quite competent Bwana Nkubwa Kalilombe ought to know better. He’s been good in PE, and citizens appreciate his efforts on preserving the mountain. But he should have encouraged the chiefs to pass only enforceable by-laws.