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Blantyre City Council Leads Tree-Planting Initiative; Stakeholders Encouraged to Join Efforts.

January 26, 2024

Written by Chikondi Galeta
Blantyre City Council Leads Tree-Planting Initiative; Stakeholders Encouraged to Join Efforts.
Blantyre City Council Leads Tree-Planting Initiative; Stakeholders Encouraged to Join Efforts.
Numerous stakeholders have swiftly responded to the call for tree planting initiated by the president last week. The Blantyre City Council, among other key participants, has assumed the responsibility of ensuring widespread community engagement in tree planting within the city. According to a public notice issued by the council, the Blantyre City Council (BCC) is distributing indigenous tree seedlings, including species such as M’bawa (Khaya anthotheca) and (Acacia polycantha) Mthethe, to residents in Blantyre. Part of the statement from the council reads, "To engage our residents and foster shared responsibility in tree planting and management, we invite all residents willing to plant trees around their homestead or company premises to visit our Zingwangwa Plant Nursery and collect the tree seedlings free of charge." BCC further advises interested individuals to collect the seedlings at Zingwangwa, near Stella Maris Secondary School, during working days from 8 am to 4 pm. The council also promises to provide technical guidance on proper tree planting techniques to ensure the intended purpose is achieved and the highest survival rate is attained. Meanwhile, environmental activist Mathews Malata has called on stakeholders participating in the recently launched tree-planting program by President Lazarus Chakwera to implement effective measures for managing the trees post-planting. Malata emphasized the importance of following procedures to ensure tree growth, including selecting the right trees for a particular site and proper seedling management. He highlighted that while tree planting contributes significantly to environmental conservation, proper utilization of trees can also lead to economic benefits. This year's Forestry season is being observed under the theme "Forest Innovation in Action: Reforestation for a Sustainable Tomorrow."

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