By Draxon Maloya
In it’s bid to ensure not only the concession area is thoroughly covered, Thursday morning Raiply Malawi Limited donated 10,000 polythene tubes to Kaluwila Women Seed Group from Lottie Mguntha Village, Inkosi Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba District.
This group is among a number of women groups who raise seedlings and sell to companies, organizations and individuals with an interest in afforestation.
According to Raiply Forest Manager, Nathaniel Nthala, having community woodlots will foster greater understanding of the importance of preserving forests, which in turn will secure the concession area.
“We want to have more friends of conservation and forests, people who appreciate the value chain and cycle.
Malawians need to know that any break in the chain has negative effects on biodiversity, health and economy, so we are assisting these women to realize their dream and to empower them economically,” Nthala observed.
In September this year Government of Malawi joined the rest of the global village in observing the Global Afforestation Day which fell under the theme ‘Bringing Together Local Action With Global Goals.
Every 3rd week of summer the United Nations (UN) set the period for school learners to explore the interconnection that exist between trees, water, peace, sustainable development, democracy through literature, real events and people around the world which are in tandem with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number fifteenth (15).
Apart from supporting communities around the Vipsya Plantation with services in the areas of health, education and water, the wood Industry has also provided employment opportunities to more than 2000 people, contributes about K4 billion in tax to the government