TNM bemoans deforestation: Plants 7,400 trees, commits to a ‘Green Malawi’

Premier mobile telecoms network provider TNM has lamented at the wanton rate of deforestation in Malawi and underlined its commitment to bring about radical redress by planting 7,400 new tree seedlings along the Lilongwe River area in partnership with Lilongwe City Assembly.

Malisita planting a tree
Malisita planting a tree
Malisita: Planting a tree along Lilongwe river
Malisita: Planting a tree along Lilongwe river

Speaking at the symbolic planting exercise, TNM Head of Region (Centre) Danny Malisita asked Malawians to join the company in planting trees and replanting in areas hit by deforestation.

“Deforestation is time bomb. Today we make a passionate appeal to all patriotic citizens to join us in this radical shift aimed at addressing the scourge of deforestation which is unnecessarily accelerating the pace of climate change, causing drought and flooding in its wake.

“As an agrarian country, the evils of deforestation are coming back to haunt us and we must wake up and put a stop to this malaise to save our beautiful country,” said Malisita.

The TNM Regional Head said the company is passionate about creating environmental sustainability in Malawi through contributions towards reforestation efforts.

“Reversing deforestation means acting responsibly, but swiftly in re-forestation efforts. As TNM, we remain firmly committed to addressing this challenge,” he said.

Malisita said Malawi has one of the highest rates of deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa which must be reversed if the country hopes to secure long-term supply of food and hydro-electricity.

“Without planting trees, Malawi risks suffering from the effects of deforestation such as unrelenting hunger and power black-outs. Deforestation weakens our ability to produce enough food. Equally compromised will be our ability to generate electricity, which in Malawi heavily depends on water. We all agree that food and power are crucial pegs that hold Malawi’s economy together,” he said.

Turning to Lilongwe River, Malisita said massive deforestation on the river bank was causing soil erosion and eventually flooding in some parts of Lilongwe

“There is a sewage treatment plant in Kauma that produces an extremely foul smell. Trees planted in that area will absorb this smell and improve sanitation in surrounding areas of Area 12, Area 44, Makatani and Kauma,” he hoped.

The TNM Regional Head said apart from contributing directly towards reforestation, TNM designs its products and services with the needs of the environment in mind. He cited the company’s money transfer service—Mpamba—as an example.

“By using Mpamba, TNM customers are contributing towards reducing carbon emitted when they commute over a distance to make transactions. In the long-term, we see Mpamba becoming the catalyst for a robust cashless society. This will greatly add value in reducing carbon footprint, thus saving our environment,” he said.

Malisita pledged that TNM would continue to partner the Government in initiatives aimed at restoring and preserving forest cover.

 

TNM has been leading in tree planting exercises every year at the onset of rains in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility. The company last year planted 36,000 tree seedlings in Malawi’s four regions at an estimated cost of K4 million.

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