Some trees were planted in Mulanje Mountain others were planted along Tcherekere river banks and according to the cooperative’s chairperson Madalitso Maulunga they will also plant trees along Nenda and Muluzi rivers.

"The mountain is our source of livelihoods and if not replenished, we will be hurting ourselves," said Maulunga.

Deputy Director of Forestry responsible for the southern zone Cecilia Chauluka described the cooperative’s move as a demonstration of forest ownership.

“It is important that these people who are timber sawyers, charcoal producers, firewood traders have decided to start restoring the forest reserve. This is really commendable,” said Chauluka.

Traditional Authority Njema on his part urged group village heads and village heads discourage deforestation in their villages.  

“You can say that you have bylaws in your villages but they are meaningless you are applying them selectively,” said T/A Njema.   

According to Maulunga, they are expecting to plant 5000 tree seedlings by the end of this forest season.