By Tione Andsen

Mchinji, March 22, Mana: Government has said Bamboo wood could be used as alternative source of heating if the country was to serve its forest reserves.

Minister of Natural Resources and Climate, Michael Usi said this Tuesday when he toured Lisoka Bamboo Estate at Waliranji in Mchinji as part of the commemoration of the International Day of Forests (IDF). 

He said government has realized that there was a special variety of bamboo which could be use as a source of heating in most households.

Usi said Malawians should change their mind set to view Bamboos as an alternative sources fuel wood.

“If more Malawians are encouraging to venture into Bamboo planting this would help to reduce pressure that the forests reserves are facing as key source of fuel wood,” the Minister observed.

He said the bamboo variety which was being used to make charcoal and firewood is an early maturing variety which is normally harvested after two to three years.

Usi said development partners need to work with government to make sure that Bamboo plantations should be provided with a adequate support.

He said Lisoka estate has assured the government of the availability of Bamboo seedlings which could be distributed to communities as a start up.

Managing Director of Lisoka Estate, Grant Blumrick said this was alternative to indigenous forest reserve.

He said everybody was using indigenous charcoals and firewood for cooking.  

“We planted the Dendroclalamus Aper Bamboo variety some five years ago and are ready for harvest. It could be use for firewood and fire briquettes,” Blumrick explained.

He said the estate was able to supply Bamboo seedlings to individuals and organizations and households could plant 10 to 15 within their houses and they would be able to use them as fuel wood.

Lisoka Estate has Bamboo plantation cover over 200 hectares.   

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