The Rotary Club of Lilongwe has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental restoration by planting 200 Mbawa trees along the Saulos Chilima Highway and Youth Drive Road in Lilongwe.

The tree-planting initiative aims to restore forest cover that was lost during the construction of the Saulos Chilima Highway and to prevent soil erosion, which poses a threat to road infrastructure.

Speaking during the exercise, Rotary Club of Lilongwe President George Naphambo said the club plans to plant a total of 7,000 trees in various locations across the city this year. He added that the club is working closely with the Lilongwe City Council to ensure a high survival rate of the trees and promote long-term sustainability.

“We have just started, and by the end of the tree-planting season we intend to plant more trees in different locations. This will help protect our city from runoff during the rainy season. We also encourage other companies and organizations to emulate this initiative, as it is a proactive way of preventing floods and other disasters,” said Naphambo.

Lilongwe City Council Environmental Officer, Cidrick Tambala, commended the initiative, saying the council is partnering with various institutions to restore greenery lost through deforestation. He noted that the council is also distributing tree seedlings to Lilongwe residents to encourage wider participation.

“As a council, we have partnered with the Rotary Club of Lilongwe to ensure that the Mbawa trees planted today achieve a higher survival rate. We will conduct follow-up visits to make sure the trees are well protected and properly cared for,” said Tambala.

Tambala further urged institutions and residents to collect tree seedlings from the council and plant them in their backyards, describing the move as critical in building climate-change resilience.

This year’s Tree Planting Season was officially launched on January 16, 2026, at Mpata Primary School Ground in Phalombe District, with a target of planting 41 million trees nationwide.