By Alick Nzangaya
Malawi’s Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources has urged people in the country to start planting trees now and not waiting for the official launch of the tree planting season which is slated for next year.
This is according to the ministry’s Director of Forestry Dr Clement Chilima who was speaking following a press statement which the ministry released on Monday December 27, 2021.
Dr Chilima said as usual, the country was supposed to launch the tree planting season on 15 December this year but says it has been delayed by the prolonged dry spell which has hit most parts of the country.
However, he said communities should not keep on waiting for the inauguration of the tree planting season but they should plant trees as soon as they receive enough rains in their respective areas.
“In short, we are urging people in the country that in areas where they have received some good rains, they should not wait for the official launch of the tree planting season but rather they should start planting and taking care of trees now,” said Chilima.
Meanwhile, the ministry has disclosed that this year’s tree planting season inauguration ceremony, will be held on 12th January 2022 in Dowa district where president Lazarus Chakwera is expected to grace the occasion.
The ministry says they have set a target of over 40 million trees to be planted in government, private plantations, community woodlots, orchards, homesteads and almond lakeshores compared to last year’s 60 million trees target which was never reached.
The tree planting season which is also known as ‘The National Forestry Season’ (NFS) runs from 15 December to 15 April every year.
