Efforts to restore the rapidly disappearing forest cover in Mzimba have received a boost after journalists joined students, police officers, and other stakeholders to plant hundreds of trees at St Francis Secondary School in an initiative aimed at promoting environmental restoration and raising awareness about climate change.
The activity, organised by journalists under the Hora Press Club, involved planting 500 pine tree seedlings on the school campus as part of a campaign encouraging communities to take an active role in protecting the environment.
Head Teacher for St Francis Secondary School, Vitambiko Chidimba Mkandawire, described the initiative as timely in helping the district respond to the growing threat of climate change.
He said the school administration will ensure that the trees are protected and nurtured so that future learners can benefit from them.
“This initiative will improve the environment around the school and help address the effects of climate change. As a school, we will ensure that the trees are well taken care of so that future generations can benefit,” he said.
Learners who participated in the exercise said the activity helped them understand the importance of protecting trees. A form one student, Lusayo Sichali, said trees help prevent disasters such as floods and play a key role in combating climate change.
“If we take good care of trees, the school will benefit from fresh air and, in the future, they can also be used for timber,” she said.
Hora Press Club Chairperson Ephraim Mkali Banda said the initiative reflects the media’s commitment not only to reporting on climate change but also to taking part in practical solutions.
Banda expressed concern over continued deforestation in Mzimba District, saying excessive tree cutting has left many areas bare and vulnerable to soil erosion and unpredictable weather patterns.
“As journalists, we are concerned about the rapid depletion of trees in the district. That is why we planted 500 pine seedlings donated by Raiply Malawi Limited at St Francis Secondary together with learners from St Charles and Clare Private Schools and officers from Mzimba Police Station,” said Banda.
Meanwhile, police in the district have warned the public against reckless tree cutting, saying it contributes to environmental degradation.
The warning was issued by Senior Superintendent Andrew Banda, who is third in command at Mzimba police station, and said law enforcement officers will take action against individuals found illegally destroying forests.
The tree-planting exercise received support from several partners. Raiply Malawi Limited donated 500 tree seedlings, while Member of Parliament for Perekazi Constituency Fikani Nyirenda provided water. Mzimba Police Station also provided transport for the exercise.
Additional support came from St Charles and Clare Private Schools and the Mzimba Institute for Development Communication Trust (MIDCT), which contributed financially to the success of the activity.
