Desire Child Development Centre (DCDC) Executive Director, Williams Kangawao, has advised communities at Chemusa in Blantyre to plant and care for tree seedlings to ensure forest cover that shall mitigate effects of climate change.
Kangawao made the plea on Wednesday at Chemusa Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Machinjiri during the distribution of tree seedlings to churches, schools and communities in the area for planting in the current forestry season.
He said tree planting and protection against destruction should be a collective responsibility that every community member should participate in.
“We need to take planting and caring of trees as our culture. As citizens, we should develop a habit of conserving the environment. Involving the community in tree planting is a way of ensuring that natural resources are protected,” said Kangawao.
With support from First Discount House (FDH) Bank, DCDC received 2,000 tree seedlings which will contribute to the country’s target of 40 million trees to be planted this forestry season.
In an interview, Fortune Secondary School Committee Chairperson, Bright Magaleta, expressed gratitude for the distribution of the trees saying it will strengthen community participation in tree management.
“Engaging schools, churches and communities is a good development. We are promising full protection because we will take responsibility to water the tree seedlings and caging, among others,” said Magaleta.
He asked schools and community members to take proper care of the trees to mitigate effects of climate change that ignite many forms of natural disasters.
DCDC is a non-governmental organisation established in 2018 with the purpose of protecting and promoting life and warfare of the most marginalised children and the youth in Blantyre by proving quality and equitable early childhood development education.
