Zomba District Commissioner Musandide Missinjo has commended the Cooperative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF-Canada) for its efforts to restore the degraded environment in Traditional Authority Mwambo through the Integrated Agriculture Aquaculture System (IAAS) Project.
Missinjo made the remarks at Village Headman Kwindimbule during the signing ceremony of the Village Natural Resource Management Plan involving 10 village heads. The plan is aimed at promoting sustainable management and restoration of natural resources in the area.
He noted that the initiative comes at a crucial time when the area has been severely affected by environmental degradation caused by indiscriminate tree cutting for charcoal production and firewood.
He added that bylaws have been put in place to ensure communities take full responsibility for conserving the environment.
Senior Chief Mwambo also hailed CDF-Canada for implementing the project, describing it as a significant step towards restoring the area’s depleted vegetation cover.
He warned community members against indiscriminate tree cutting, saying offenders will be fined K40,000.
CDF-Canada Southern Region Forest Extension Officer Jimmy Moyo and Zomba District Council Director of Aquaculture Services Lindah Mphande expressed optimism that the IAAS Project will contribute to environmental restoration while creating opportunities for forest-based enterprises.
They said the initiative will help communities generate income and become self-reliant.
The IAAS Project is expected to play a vital role in improving environmental conservation and supporting sustainable livelihoods in Traditional Authority Mwambo.
