On 28th January 2023, the 3rd Malawi Rifles (3MR) of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and the Hill Climbing Club (HCC) will be planting trees in Mzuzu City. This is part of the aforestation drive during this year’s rainy season.
Commanding Officer (CO) for 3MR, Lieutenant Colonel Thokozani Chazema says the exercise will include a walk n run from Mzuzu ShopRite through Mzuzu Government Secondary School ending within Moyale Barracks, where trees will be planted.
“We decided to compliment efforts of the Government as usual, and continue to be creative in addressing issues around degradation of our environment. As you may know Mzuzu has always been referred as the Green City, but lately due to deforestation and poor managent of our environment the City’s green beauty has declined. We aim to revive our environment to bring back rains year round, enjoy clean air and live healthier lives,” he said.
Lt. Col. Chazema added that it is also important, in this regard, to do likewise with our bodies by engaging in more exercise activities.
“This is why we are not only planting trees, but using exercise to dissemminate green-friendly messages alohcthe way to the general public. Exercising helps remove stress, builds better bodies and encourages healthy living.”
M’theto Lungu, Coordinator for the global HCC fitness initiative, said they entered into a mutual partnership with 3MR two years ago when they hiked Kaning’ina Forest in a bid to share messages for need to care for our environment and also live healthier lives.
“There has been a lot of encroachment and mostly deforestation and illegal charcoal making in Kaning’ina Forest by surrounding residents and some scrupulous business people. We noticed the damage to the trees and also witnessed one person being arrested for careless cutting down of trees.
“This encouraged us to partner with the CO on his great efforts to protect the forest, and as you know, trees bring rains and good air, I the process to clean our environment of diseases that can easily be avoided.”
Lungu pointed out that through exercise, all of us can beat non-communicable diseases such as BP.
“Healthier people are not prone to stress and depression, have stronger hearts, lungs and bodies, which can lead to arresting cardiac arrests, improve mental stamina and boost immunity. We shall be running and walking the entire route sharing such messages as we proceed to plant the trees.”
“The levels of careless forest tree cutting for charcoal making we saw during the hike needs efforts of all in addressing. There is also need for all out awareness on the impact as water sources are also disturbed. And this is why we have invited all walks of people to join us during the event,” added Lungu.
The tree planting activity will be participated by 3MR Officers and Soldiers, troops from nearby units, members of the Malawi Police Service, the Malawi Prisons, health workers, civil society organisations, the corporate world including banks and insurance companies, and interested members of the general public.
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To participate there is a token fee of K15,000 which will be used to organise water, lunch, and refreshments.
HCC has membership across Malawi, in the DRC, Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, UK, USA, among other countries.
