Schools challenged to overcome deforestation

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has challenged schools to plant trees around them if they are to deal with challenges associated with deforestation.

The minister responsible William Susuwele Banda said this when he launched tree planting season in Zomba Lisanjala constituency.

Banda who is Member of Parliament for the area said many school blocks are blown off because they are not surrounded by trees.

“The schools should look after the trees and schools which will have more survival trees will receive ward,” says Susuwele Banda

Commenting on the initiative Sub TA Nkapita said as a community they have formulated bi-laws with an aim of making sure that trees are protected.

The traditional leader said the bi-laws have been formulated after noticing that the area has many people who were involved in tree cutting and charcoal burning to be enforced by 28th February this year.

“Among the penalties in the bi-laws include paying 50,000 kwacha and planting 1000 trees annually to those found burning or transporting charcoal,” Sub TA Nkapita

Speaking on behalf of the learners who patronized the event Rita Imwa a standard 8 learner at Ntungulutsi primary school hailed the initiative saying trees are very important in many ways.

“There is need for teachers and learners to join hands in taking care of the trees,” Imwa says

The area is expected to plant close to 1 million trees this season.