Different stakeholders have reiterated the need to step up efforts to restore Dzalanyama Forest.
Chief Secretary to the Government, Lloyd Muhara, presided over a tree-planting exercise the government and other stakeholders organised at Dzalanyama Forest on Saturday.
“We are encouraging everyone to follow suit and plant more trees. We will take advantage of stakeholders coming forward because they are coming with assistance to give us seeds or just participate. If there is anyone who would want to participate but lack seeds, our forestry offices are open to help,” he said
Lilongwe Water Board Board Chairperson, Edward Chitsonga, said environmental degradation affects retention of water, hence the frequent water shortage in communities surrounding the forest.
“We are responsible to provide water to residents of Lilongwe and our main source of water is Lilongwe River. Now Kamuzu 1 and 2 dams are facing great siltation which is a challenge. It is our mandate to plant more trees and, in that way, we will be assured that we will continue to provide water to the residents. Without these trees, we will fail,” he said
Chitsonga added that the board is losing more of its financial resources on chemicals to treat water
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