In a show of commitment to protecting the environment, students at Moyo Academy in Nkhotakota District have planted 70 tree seedlings at their school premises, setting an example for the surrounding community on the importance of environmental conservation.
The initiative brought together students, teachers, and community leaders, all united by a common goal of restoring the environment and promoting sustainable practices.
Senior Assistant Forestry Officer for Nkhotakota, George Bonongwe, says tree planting efforts can only be successful if communities take responsibility for caring for the trees after planting them.
“Communities must take ownership of these trees if we want to improve the survival rate. Planting alone is not enough people must ensure the trees are protected and cared for,” said Bonongwe.
Bonongwe observed that many tree planting initiatives fail because people neglect the trees after planting them.
He stressed that nurturing trees is just as important as planting them.
He further highlighted the need for a mindset change among communities if environmental conservation efforts are to succeed, noting that the effects of climate change are already being felt across Malawi.
“There is a need for a change in mindset when it comes to conserving the environment because climate change has greatly affected our country. Teaching students the importance of tree planting is an investment in building a culture of environmental protection,” he said.
For the school, the exercise was not just about planting trees, but also about instilling environmental responsibility in students.
Headteacher Peter Mponda Banda said the school organized the activity to encourage students to actively participate in environmental conservation.
"We believe learners should play a role in conserving the environment; planting trees is one way of teaching them the importance of protecting nature,” said Banda.
Banda also revealed plans to be one of the schools in the country to have an orchard for the school and make it a green school.
Group village headman Chamba welcomed the initiative, saying it sets a good example for residents in the area.
Chamba commended the students for their efforts and urged community members to emulate their actions.
“Let us take a good example from these students. If we all participate in planting and caring for trees, we can help protect our environment,” said Chamba.
He added that tree planting remains one of the key measures in addressing deforestation and environmental degradation in Malawi.
