Old Mutual Malawi Plans to Plant 10,000 Trees Amid Sustainability Concerns.
Old Mutual Malawi has announced plans to plant more than 10,000 trees in Mzuzu and Blantyre. The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) reports that many firms plant trees mainly for publicity, without proper care plans.
At a tree-planting event at Mgathira Primary School in Mzuzu, WESM's Environmental Education and Communications Manager Ausward Bonongwe raised concerns about poor corporate planning.
"Many companies plant trees for the cameras but ignore key factors like site selection, soil tests, and seedling choices," Bonongwe said. "This leads to low survival rates and hurts our reforestation work."
Old Mutual has signed an agreement with WESM to ensure proper tree care. The company's Marketing and Corporate Affairs Executive, Patience Chatsika, stressed their focus on results.
"We care about both planting trees and helping them thrive. Our partnership with WESM includes monitoring and maintaining these trees," Chatsika said.
The Northern Forest Zone faces challenges. Kelvin Chisaka, a Forestry Communications and Advisory Services Officer, reported a 65% tree survival rate in Northern Malawi. Drought poses additional risks to tree growth.
WESM and its partners urge businesses to replace short-term publicity efforts with lasting environmental commitments. The groups advocate for sustainable approaches to combat deforestation and climate change through effective tree-planting programs.
Old Mutual Malawi has announced plans to plant more than 10,000 trees in Mzuzu and Blantyre. The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) reports that many firms plant trees mainly for publicity, without proper care plans.
At a tree-planting event at Mgathira Primary School in Mzuzu, WESM's Environmental Education and Communications Manager Ausward Bonongwe raised concerns about poor corporate planning.
"Many companies plant trees for the cameras but ignore key factors like site selection, soil tests, and seedling choices," Bonongwe said. "This leads to low survival rates and hurts our reforestation work."
Old Mutual has signed an agreement with WESM to ensure proper tree care. The company's Marketing and Corporate Affairs Executive, Patience Chatsika, stressed their focus on results.
"We care about both planting trees and helping them thrive. Our partnership with WESM includes monitoring and maintaining these trees," Chatsika said.
The Northern Forest Zone faces challenges. Kelvin Chisaka, a Forestry Communications and Advisory Services Officer, reported a 65% tree survival rate in Northern Malawi. Drought poses additional risks to tree growth.
WESM and its partners urge businesses to replace short-term publicity efforts with lasting environmental commitments. The groups advocate for sustainable approaches to combat deforestation and climate change through effective tree-planting programs.
