Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) has lamented the wanton cutting down of trees along water sources.
It says the practice is threatening the production of electricity as the country largely relies on hydropower sources.
Egenco acting Chief Executive Maxton Chitawo said this during a tree-planting exercise at Kapichira in Chikwawa District, where Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola was the guest of honour.
Chitawo said the organisation was planting trees in areas around the Shire River, which the company relies on to generate electricity.
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“Trees also help with the hydrological cycle, bringing more rain. The trees also slow the pace at which the water runs so that debris is trapped as it comes into the power plant,” Chitawo said.
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Matola called for adequate coverage of trees, saying they are important in the generation of hydropower.
“About 85 percent of the country’s power is generated through water, which is why it is important to preserve our nature. We need to make sure that our trees are flourishing so that we have water throughout the year,” Matola said.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Owen Chomanika said his ministry was emphasising on taking care of trees, saying out of the 34 million trees targeted during this year’s tree planting season, at least 80 percent should survive.
“I am happy that Egenco has members of staff that take care of trees to ensure that they survive,” Chomanika said.
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Egenco plans to plant 14,000 trees on 30-plus hectares during this year’s tree planting season.
