After being shown a documentary on how people in Balaka and Machinga reclaimed degraded environment, members of one of Kasungu’s Catchment Management Committees (CMCs) in the pilot Enhanced Public Works Programme (EPWP) say they cannot wait to transform their community.

Mpherere CMC was shown a Njira Watershed Management documentary on Friday which showed how communities in Balaka and Machinga managed to deal with problems that came with environmental degradation.

Vice Chairperson of Mpherere CMC in Traditional Authority Simlemba Robert Mjojo said similar problems of environmental degradation like in Machinga and Balaka, where trees were cut down and water flowed in people’s farms, are also in Kasungu.

“Here in Simlemba we want to do our best to be well prepared to work and recover the environment which has been lost, we just need cooperation amongst us as communities, chiefs, extension workers and other government officials just like our friends did,” said Mjojo.

Foreman of the catchment area, Stella Banda, said what they saw in the documentary is the root for sustainable livelihood and the people in the area already embraced the idea of working to improve their community.

“It is always impressive to see that people now are always committed to work to transform their lives. Just like in Balaka and Machinga, here in Kasungu it is the same and we cannot wait to start implementing our chosen projects,” said Banda.

At Mpherere catchment the people want to do afforestation of Mpherere hill by planting trees and manage natural regenerations, fish farming, bee keeping and rehabilitate roads.

EPWP which is being piloted by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) in 10 districts with five catchment areas in each.

EPWP national coordinator Stanley Chuthi is impressed with how the programme has advanced to this far in all districts EPWP is.

He said: “We are beginning implementation this August, it is our hope that all councils and communities will understand by observing preventive measures.”

Kasungu has five catchment committees in Katcherekhwanya, Mpherere, Chatalala, Mphazi and Chankhanga with all catchments focusing mainly land resource conservation and afforestation. Other sub projects include fish farming, bee keeping and road rehabilitation.

EPWP is being piloted in Kasungu, Lilongwe, Dowa, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Chitipa, Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Balaka and Phalombe.