As one way of mitigating the effects of climate change in the country, Old Mutual Malawi in partnership with Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) have planted 5000 trees on Michiru Mountain in Blantyre.

The exercise which was led by Old Mutual Malawi Group Chief Executive Officer Tavona Biza who was franked Old Mutual Group Chief Finance Officer Vera Zulu, Old Mutual Financial Education Manager Bernard Chiluzi, and WESM Acting Chairperson for Blantyre Chris Dow, staff members and community members took about 2 hours.

Speaking after the exercise the company’s Group CEO Tavona Biza saluted the community members for taking a leading role in flushing out over 1000 poachers.

He then urged the community members to be in the forefront in taking care of the trees.

“If the trees are to survive and thrive the community is the one responsible to make sure that the hold each other accountable and make sure that these trees actually survive,” said Biza.

WESM Acting Chairperson for Blantyre Chris Dow saluted the mutual relationship with the community scouts in protecting the Michiru Forest Reserve.

Dow went further to call upon on companies and organisations that are embarking on planting exercises to monitor the planted trees for their survival.

On his part Michiru Forest scouts Chairperson Joseph Mailosi said the grouping is facing numerous challenges when patrolling the mountain.

“We need material and financial support to soldier on with the mission. We were many at the start of the exercise but many have pulled out of the exercise because they don’t see any benefit,” he said.

Old Mutual Malawi is scheduled to plant 10, 000 trees in Blantyre and Mzuzu this year.