Protecting nature through climate sensitive public works programme

In a quest to protect nature and address the effects of climate change, communities under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) in Mchinji have put in place a number of ways to restore degraded landscapes and reforestation.

Speaking during a media tour to selected catchment areas, Land Resource Conservation Officer in Mchinji, Rhoda Njikho said integrating public works initiatives with climate smart practices has helped communities in protecting natural resources especially on soil and water conservation.

“With activities like caring for natural regeneration, afforestation, making contour marker ridges and gully reclamation put in place in different catchment areas, we believe we will be able to mitigate natural resource degradation by making sure that there is less surface run-off and there is high infiltration rate,” said Njikho.

Njikho further explained that incorporating climate smart practices with public works will not only help reduce surface run-off but it will also enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate related shocks such as floods, droughts and extreme weather events.

In his remarks, Chairperson for Nathyola Catchment area Andsen Mvula said before the introduction of the programme, their farm produce would be affected by running water leading to low yield of crops since most of the crops would be swept away.

“A lot of trees were cut down from the hills for charcoal production which left the land bare resulting into surface run-off as the water run down the hill. But since the introduction of the programme it has helped in keeping the land covered, thereby improving soil fertility,” explained Mvula.

Alice Joseph Lazaro, one of the beneficiaries for CSEPWP from Luzare Catchment explained that the project financially supported her household since the project linked her to village savings and loan group.

“From the wages I got from working in various projects under the programme I was able to buy a goat which has now multiplied and is making it easier to access manure for her crops farm produce,” said Lazaro.

CSEPWP is aimed at addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and sustainable development within vulnerable communities. The programme is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) a Malawi Government programme implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC)and funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.