CADECOM Bolsters Environmental Conservation Efforts in Nkhotakota

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, through the Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM), says it is committed to educating the public on the best practices for environmental conservation across the country.

Brian Odhiambo, the Director of Commissions in the Archdiocese, revealed this on Saturday during a tree-planting exercise at Senjere Primary School, located under Traditional Authority Mphonde in Nkhotakota District.

Supported by funding from Missio Austria, CADECOM planted various species of fruit trees at the school with the goal of restoring the area’s degraded environment. The director highlighted that the exercise serves as an eye-opener for the community on how to protect their surroundings and prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods that hit the area in 2024.

Odhiambo added that, beyond the planting exercise, CADECOM has also introduced community members to alternative ways of generating income rather than relying on charcoal production as their primary livelihood.

“I can confidently say here that apart from the trees that we have planted here we have also taught them other ways of sourcing funds like new agriculture methods he added”

In his remarks, the Coordinator for Senjere Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Nkhotakota District, Cosmas Kayitano, stated that the newly planted trees will greatly assist in conserving the local environment. He noted that the inclusion of fruit trees complements government efforts to ensure that individuals have access to the six food groups.

“Let me applaud CADECOM for the gesture as this will greatly help to conserve the Environment he added”

Epimark Mkanda, a member of the local community, applauded CADECOM for the initiative, noting its potential to breathe life back into the degraded landscape. He promised that the community would take care of the trees to ensure they fulfill their intended purpose.

CADECOM is currently implementing the “Integrated Response and Resilience in the District of Dowa and Nkhotakota” project with financial support from Missio Austria. Through the project 6500 fruit trees have been planted and over 3000 agroforestry trees will be planted.