Traditional leaders in Mchinji District have commended their subjects for implementing initiatives aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and replenishing depleted forests.

In an interview on Tuesday, Traditional Authority (T/A) Pitala said beneficiaries under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme have worked diligently in their assigned activities.

He said the beneficiaries understood the importance of the activities and committed themselves to plant trees and constructed contour marker ridges to conserve forests and stop soil erosion.

A beneficiary gets his money

“It is impressive to see that communities have contributed towards protecting the environment. The wages they have received for working for 24 days is just a bonus, but the real joy is that of seeing the quality work they have done,” said Pitala.

Wifi Catchment Area management committee chairperson Innocent Mtema said the people are delighted with what they have produced in terms of environmental protection.

“The participants did quality works in the previous cycle and are willing to continue in the next. The most important thing is that they are also getting some money in a form of wages which helps them source their needs,”he said.

A participant in the programme, Paulo Sato from Kampheta Village, T/A Pitala, said they were dedicated to work in the sub-projects and were ready for the next cycle.

“The programme is important to us as we are working in our own community to improve the degraded land,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Mchinji district commissioner Fred Movete urged participants to give much attention to the works instead of monetary gains.

He said: “I am delighted that the people have started getting their wages which will help them to get food during the lean period and buy other things.

“However, they should focus on the environmental projects because they have long-term benefits.”

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