Malawi: Ntchisi District Council, chiefs and police have expressed their disappointment over land degradation in the region. They are concerned about the pace at which charcoal burners are affecting the land. In light of the situation, thee stakeholders have decided to work together and end the problem.
Senior Chief Nthondo Headquarters served as the venue where the decision was made. The participants were attending a high level meeting of stakeholders at the time.
During the meeting, they established that Ntchisi Forest and part of Nkhotakota Game Reserve which share boundaries are the most affected by the issue.
The high level meeting was hosted after alarm was raised during Station Executive Committee (SEC) meeting. In this previous meeting, Senior Chief Nthondo expressed his concern over rampant deforestation and burning of charcoal in his area.
The Senior Chief said his area was fast turning into a desert after the charcoal burners were cutting down thousands of trees. Further, he noted that tones of charcoal being ferried from his area to urban areas.
He said that he is disappointed with some unpatriotic villagers who shield culprits from Lilongwe and Nkhotakota. He also expressed concerns over some chiefs who encourage the malpractice by being indirectly involved.
Officer in-Charge for Ntchisi Police Station, Deputy Commissioner Tiyese Chiumbuzo offered his advise on the issue. He said deforestation was the root of climate change and added that his office was ready to enforce the law and work with the community.
“We needed to come and appreciate the situation first, thereafter map a way forward on how best we can work towards resolving the issue.
“As Police, we are ready to take an extra mile to solve the problem at hand,” said Chiumbuzo.
The Officer-in-Charge further said that he will intensify joint patrols with forest officers and community leaders in order to curb the vice.
District Forest Officer for Ntchisi, Jim Lukwale, also affirmed the council’s commitment towards the cause, saying he was confident that the team work would bring an impactful outcome.
After the meeting, the authorities visited Ntchisi Forest to appreciate the situation on the ground where they found tonnes of charcoal bags waiting to be ferried to unknown destination.