People of Chitipa have been implored to refrain from human activities that have negatively diminished forest cover in the district.
Chitipa District Council chairperson Said Luwanja said this on Thursday during the tree planting season launch held over the weekend at Namatubi ground in the area of Traditional Authority Mwaulambya .
Luwanja who was also guest of honour said Chitipa is losing a lot of hectares of forest due to charcoal burning but sounded optimistic due to ongoing orientation with communities.
“I am very happy because people have been told on how to take care of their environment government should continue teaching people, this will help people not destroy forests and the environment.”
In his remarks Traditional Authority Mwaulambya said we are facing the challenges of climate change due to deforestation.
“The climate and natural disasters we are witnessing these years as a result of our behaviour towards the environment. We have to take care of our environment and look after it ” he said
Mwaulambya further issues a stern warning to anyone found destroying trees while reminding them that they will face the bylaws that were instituted.
“Anyone found violating these bylaws will face the consequences like paying a goat just to deter them from destroying the environment”
The district council planted 2000 trees at the launch and is expected to plant over 1.4 million trees this season.