Raiply decries Illegal logging, encroachment

By Isaac Salima:

Raiply Malawi has expressed concern over continued encroachment and illegal timber logging by surrounding communities at its Mulanje Mountain plantation in the Southern Region.

The company has a 25- year agreement with the Malawi Government to manage and harvest trees at Nanchedwa plantation on Mulanje Mountain.

The company’s spokesperson Dalitso Chimwala said their operations continued to be negatively affected by community members’ actions.

“This is a long-term project because growing and managing trees take time. As such, we have people working on the plantation and money is spent on all those activities.

“Consequently, what the communities are doing is not only a loss to us but the entire nation because, when we grow trees, there are job opportunities created and provision of habitat for animals,” Chimwala said.

However, Mloza Forest Cooperative Society Chairperson Madalitso Maulunga blamed the company for not providing security to the plantation.

“Imagine, the company has one guard to provide security, which is not workable,” he said.

However, Chimwala said they had enough security personnel who were chased by villagers.