By Alinafe Kamphika
Neno Active Youth in Development (NAYODE) has secured a K17 million grant from the Global Land Initiative to implement a landscape restoration project aimed at combating land degradation and empowering youths in Neno District.
Speaking Friday during a District Environmental Sub Committee (DESC) meeting, NAYODE Project Manager, Thandi Mgabi, said about 100,000 tree seedlings will be planted along targeted riverbanks to restore the environment, improve agricultural productivity and enhance economic opportunities for communities.
She said the one-year project will focus on Traditional Authorities Symon along the Shire River and Mtsimuke river targeting degraded areas with activities such as tree planting, natural forest regeneration and youth training in agroforestry and landscape management.
She said the area of Senior Chief Symon has been chosen because it experiences perpetual hunger due to dry spells orchestrated by drought due to wanton cutting down of trees hence introducing the ‘Future Forests project’.
“Our expectation is that these areas will have protected forests and planting trees along riverbanks will help prevent droughts and boost crop yields,” Mgabi said.
She added that four youth clubs will benefit from the project, with one club, Msawedza, already identified, while three others will be confirmed soon and the clubs will receive capacity building in seedling production, forest management and natural regeneration practices.
Mgabi said the project will also introduce beekeeping and fruit production as alternative income-generating activities for the youth.
She therefore, emphasized the importance of community ownership for the project’s success.
“This project belongs to the communities. Our role is to support and guide them, but they need to plant and take care of the trees to prevent hunger and droughts in their areas,” she said.
She explained that the knowledge and skills gained will enable the youth to manage their own nurseries and sell seedlings to raise funds for their clubs.
Neno District Council Environmental Officer, Kennedy Pondamali, hailed the project, saying environmental management is now focused on the future where the youths will need innovative ways of restoring the environment and their involvement now was key to achieve this.
NAYODE will implement the project in collaboration with environmental management committees, traditional leaders, and Neno District Council officials to ensure effective execution and sustainability.
