Malawi army protects Perekezi Forest reserve in Mzimba

Malawi Defense Force  (MDF) has appealed to people of Mzimba to protect Perekezi Forest Reserve .

Brigadier Laurence Mambo made the call  on Wednesday at Perekezi Forest Reserve in the district where MDF soldiers from Moyale Barracks are patrolling the forest reserve as well as doing military exercises.

Mambo, who is also 101 Brigade Commander, bemoaned deforestation in forest where soldiers conduct exercises.

“If forests reserves have been depleted where are we going to conduct our jungle exercises? Forest reserves are our  national assets and we need to protect our natural resources,” he said.

Mambo commended government for showing political will to preserve the environment which he said has motivated them to protect forest reserves.

“With support from government, we expect to see good results in patrolling forest reserves in the country,” he said.

Mambo also said the soldiers will not deny  community members access to firewood and mushrooms from the forest during patrols.

On his part, Mzimba district commissioner Emmanuel Bambe commended MDF for patrolling the forest reserve.

He said: “Chikangawa forest, which used to be the largest man-made forest in southern Africa, has been depleted.

“Now people are depleting Perekezi, Forest Reserve, which is a source of major rivers in Mzimba.

On Monday, President Lazarus Chakwera condemned the destruction of forests in the country.

“Taking care of the environment is a civic duty. Everyone has to take part in protecting the environment.

“I, therefore, encourage chiefs to take a leading role in educating their subjects on the hazards of environmental degradation,” he said.

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