DHL plants 9,000 trees in Mulanje
One of the country’s logistics firms, DHL, planted over 9,000 trees in the area of Senior Chief Nkanda in Mulaje District over the weekend as part of its international environmental restoration strategy.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with Greenpop, Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust and Mulanje Mission Hospital, among others.
Apart from the trees, the company and its partners planted 3,000 bamboos and 15 tonnes of vetiver grass.
DHL Malawi Managing Director Victor Sitima said the exercise is in line with their mission, which is connecting people and improving lives.
“We have a lot of customers in Mulanje, especially from the tea sector; therefore, we need to give back to them because if we plant a tree, it is going to improve the lives of the community,” Sitima said.
Senior Chief Nkanda lauded the company for the gesture, stressing that deforestation has brought a lot of challenges to communities in the area.
“We have all the chiefs here and I will charge them to ensure that these seedlings are looked after until they grow. I believe they will guard these trees religiously because we have all experienced the effects of environmental degradation,” Nkanda said.
One of the directors at Greenpop Cape Town Misha Tasdael said land degradation is dire in the country and needs to be tackled from all angles and by different players.
“There is a need to be more innovative and encourage people to protect trees and not cut them down wantonly. We need to come up with deliberate policies and alternative energy sources for the people to reserve the trees,” Tasdael said.
The 2022-23 tree planting season was launched by President Lazarus Chakwera last month.
Justin Mkweu is a fast growing reporter who currently works with Times Group on the business desk.
He is however flexible as he also writes about current affairs and national issues.
