The Office of the President and Cabinet has for the sixth time running spearheaded catchment restoration efforts at Dzalanyama Forest Reserve to ensure sustained watershed that supplies water to Lilongwe residents.

Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi led the exercise last Friday in line with the 2021/22 National Forestry Season whose theme is Healthy Trees, Forests, Economy and People.

Scores of other top controlling officers in government, including from Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service, and surrounding communities took part in the exercise.

Chikhosi speaks during the event

Of particular interest was the presence of board members of Dzalanyama Catchment Conservation Trust.

In his speech, Chikhosi commended the trust for the initiative.

“The reserve plays a key role as a watershed. It must be protected at all times,” he said.

Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda thanked government for ensuring the reserve is restored.

He said this meant sustained availability of water at both Kamuzu Dam 1 and 2 in Malingunde that supply Lilongwe residents with potable water.

“We are encouraging people to switch to alternative sources of energy to reduce reliance on biomass,” Masumbankhunda said.

On his part, Lilongwe Water Board chairperson George Kajanga said the board protects the reserve to conserve water.

“Good vegetative cover is ideal for sustained water conservation,” he said.

Lilongwe Water Board and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica)-Project for Conservation and Management of Dzalanyama Forest Reserve has been planting trees in the reserve as part of landscape restoration.

Government of Malawi through the Department of Forestry and Government of Japan through Jica-funded Cosma-Dzalanyama Forestry Reserve project established Dzalanyama Catchment Conservation Trust to protect the watershed area.

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