Stella Moses, Chairperson of the Machemba Catchment and Conservation group, told Zodiak Online on Monday that the areas around the hill were riddled with gullies, which fueled land degradation.

Moses said that the 2023-2024 rainy season did not adversely affect their land due to the construction of check dams and natural tree regeneration activities.

"Machemba Hill had completely lost its natural vegetative cover, but with help from the district council and the PROSPER project, all is well," said Moses.

She noted that through the Promoting Sustainable Partnership for Empowered Resilience (PROSPER) project, trees that were planted have grown, and some animals such as hyenas have returned to the hill.

Village Head Tiriya, under Traditional Authority Mkhumba, thanked the council and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the project, which has aided the reforestation drive in his area.

Joseph Before, the district focal person for the PROSPER project in Phalombe, said beneficiaries have been equipped with various skills such as beekeeping, and the construction of check dams, stone bunds, and box ridges.

Before noted that 20,000 trees have been planted under the Machemba Catchment Management Conservation initiative.

"As a council, we are optimistic that community members will sustain the project after it phases out, given the committee's vibrancy and the bylaws that were formulated," said Before.

He also lauded the FAO for the project, adding that it has benefited the council through the provision of motorcycles for extension workers and a motor vehicle.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' PROSPER project, which started in 2018, will phase out in July 2024. It has been implemented in Mangochi, Balaka, Chikwawa, and Phalombe with financial support from UKAID.