Nkhata-Bay district has seen success in its tree planting efforts, with a 62% survival rate of the trees planted in 2022.

According to McDoster Msomba, the district forest officer, out of the 674,000 trees planted last year, 417,880 are still standing.

Msomba announced plans to launch a new tree planting exercise next week Friday, with the goal of planting over 500,000 trees in 2023.

He emphasized the importance of community involvement in tree care to improve the survival rate of the newly planted trees.

Msomba also urged Malawians to continue to sensitize people in various communities on the importance of trees and how they can take care of them.

Tree planting and preservation is crucial for the environment, for the people and for the economy, as it help in preventing soil erosion, sequestering carbon, improving air quality and providing habitats for wildlife among others.

The district forest office and various stakeholders have been working together to promote the planting and preservation of trees in the area, and the successful survival rate of the trees planted in 2022 is a positive step in the right direction.