By Jarson Malowa:
As the tree planting season continues, The Daily Times has learned that 66 percent of the trees that were planted between 2016 and 2021 survived.
This, according to environmental management activist Maloto Chimkombero, means a lot needs to be done to ensure that all trees survive the period between planting and growth.
Chief Forestry Officer Titus Zulu said Tuesday that 358,247,368 trees were planted during the period in question.
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“Out of the trees that were planted, 239,489,328 survived during this period,” he said.
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Zulu further indicated that 118,758,040 trees did not survive, representing 33.2 percent.
“We planted these trees on 143,300 hectares,” he said.
However, there has been a drop in the number of projected trees in the past two national forestry seasons.
“The decrease is mainly due to the government’s focus on trees that were planted previously as it wants them to be properly managed to increase their survival rate,” Zulu said.
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In the 2021-22 tree planting, season 37,909,376 tree seedlings survived while in 2022-23 season, only 31,308,934 trees survived.
“The decline in tree survival rate (in the 2022- 23 season) was attributed to dry spells in some parts of the country and Cyclone Freddy, which led to loss of planted trees in the affected areas,” Zulu said.
This year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, through the Department of Forestry, has set a target of 34,000,000 trees.
Meanwhile, Chimkombero has said a lot needs to be done to ensure that trees that are planted survive.
President Lazarus Chakwera launched this year’s tree planting season in Phalombe District on January 18.
The event took place at Mpasa Hill.
Natural Resources and Climate Change Minister Michael Usi urged people to participate in forestry season activities and take good care of planted trees.
The government says about 34 million trees will be planted this season.
