Old Mutual Malawi has planted 5,000 trees in Michiru Forest Reserve in Blantyre as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Speaking during the tree-planting exercise, Old Mutual Malawi Chief Executive Officer Tavona Biza said in a bid to restore the environment, the company is committed to leading in environmental conservation.
“As Old Mutual Malawi, we have been planting trees because we understand the challenges brought by climate change. This year, we are planting 10,000 trees, 5,000 here in Michiru and another 5,000 already planted in Mzuzu,” he said.
Biza further highlighted that since 2017, through their partnership with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Wesm), Old Mutual Malawi have planted over 40,000 trees with a survival rate of approximately 74 percent.
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He commended Wesm for their collaboration in environmental preservation.
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Wesm Blantyre Chairperson Chris Dow praised the long-standing partnership with Old Mutual Malawi, noting that their joint efforts are vital for community-driven environmental initiatives.
“For 50 years, Wesm has been involved in Michiru Forest, implementing various interventions to build community capacity in environmental conservation. We believe partnerships are key to success, and we truly value our collaboration with Old Mutual Malawi, which has helped make this event a success,” said Dow.
Meanwhile, Michiru Forest Scouts Chairperson Joseph Mailosi disclosed that they have successfully driven out poachers responsible for deforestation in the area, further securing the reserve from illegal activities.
“Through our efforts, we have managed to restore security in the reserve and protect the trees from further destruction,” he said.
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The initiative underscores the importance of corporate and community partnerships in protecting Malawi’s natural resources for future generations.
