SAFE WATER REMAINS A NIGHTMARE TO PEOPLE IN BT

By Lonjezo Jamu

A woman drawing water from a well.

Accessing safe and clean water still remains a nightmare to people living in Blantyre especially, Manje, Sochi and Zingwangwa. Due to persistent shortage of water, people are now forced to access water from unsafe and unclean places.

The on-going water crisis in Blantyre townships is clearly revealing how Malawians are struggling to access safe and clean water in different settings. Perhaps, this development is posing a serious threat to health of Malawians since many people are using unclean water from unsafe sources like wells and dams for domestic purposes; a situation that needs to be addressed urgently.

Agnes Juma, from Sochi Township is one of the victims of water crisis and has expressed her worry over the exigency if it remains unaddressed.

“The situation has really left a lot to be desired, as you can see that women are really struggling to access water for domestic use. Due to persistent shortage of water people are now forced to be accessing water from unclean places where even the water is not treated and this is very worrisome because our health is at stake of contracting waterborne diseases," said Agness Juma.

Water is life as they put it, but with the current situation lives have been put at risk since people are failing to access safe water and this issue has to be treated with maximum attention in order to save many lives from waterborne diseases.

“Safe water is what we are asking for, because the water we are using now is not safe for our health as you can see we are drawing water from uncovered well and the water is not even treated, meaning we are using water which is contaminated and we can easily suffer from water borne diseases like cholera,” said Agnes Juma.

Meanwhile, the issue is at large due to climate change which has affected rainfall perhaps disturbing water table; the availability of underground water and this plays a crucial role in determining the availability of water in water bodies.

George Kalambo Environmental Officer has stressed that lots of environmental degradation activities that are continuously happening across Malawi and in the whole world like deforestation are leading to climate change hence triggering water crisis.

“The ongoing environmental degradation activities like deforestation, production of carbon monoxide from industries has led to climate change, for instance nowadays rainfall pattern has changed as compared to the past where rain could fall throughout the year but currently we are experiencing erratic rains which have greatly affected the water table hence leading to persistent shortage of water,” Said Kalambo.

“Actually, because of this change thus why people are now experiencing water crisis hence, they are forced to be accessing water from unclean place like wells, rivers and dams and risking their lives from contracting water borne diseases,” said Kalambo.

Women helping each other carrying a bucket of water from a well.

Environmental conservation is the only remedy that can be employed in order to address issues to do with climate change. Malawians should take it upon themselves to embark on different activities in order to preserve the environment as well as embracing environmental friendly activities in order to preserve the environment.

Addressing the issue of water crisis, Baston Maulidi Project Coordinator for water for people has said that their organisation is in quest of implementing various projects with the aim of providing safe and clean water to people in different areas.

“We are doing our best to supply safe and clean water across Malawi; so far we are implementing a number of projects of which many Malawians will find beneficial and perhaps lessening the issue of water crisis,” Baston Maulidi.

The issue of water crisis is not one man’ show hence people, government and different stakeholders should hold hands in order to address the issue and as well as preserve the environment to avoid other environmental related problems by employing various activities like afforestation as well as embracing environmental friendly policies and activities and perhaps keeping Malawi green.

KWALE DAM ALMOST BURIED DUE TO SOIL EROSION

By Lonjezo Jamu

Sediments burying Kwale dam due to soil erosion

The ceaseless cutting down of trees by people surrounding Soche hill has greatly contributed to soil erosion which has resulted to silting of Kwale dam.

Chances of soil erosion are always high in places where land is bare, since there is no any  vegetation to reduce speed of running water hence top soil easily get carried away and perhaps leading to soil erosion.

Soche hill is such one of the places where soil erosion is taking place and resulting to deposition of sediments into Kwale dam, basically this is the case due to some human activities like deforestation.

Herbert Chikoti has lamented that because of deforestation soil is being eroded and deposited into Kwale dam and this dam also happen to be one of the sources of water to people surrounding Soche Hill.

“Since trees have been cut down so when running water is flowing it washes away top soil since the land is bare and there is no any tree to reduce speed and gradually the soil get eroded and being deposited into Kwale dam which is very worrisome considering the fact that people use this dam to access water for domestic use," said Chikoti.

Tree roots sprouted out due to soil erosion

Despite the fact that kwale dam has been silted but still people are still using water from kwale for domestic purpose a thing which might lead to waterborne diseases since the water is not safe for the health of people.

Kondwani Biliati from Sochi has expressed his worry that the situation has left many people desperate and they are living in fear of contracting waterborne diseases since the water which they are using is unsafe.

“Despite that the dam has been silted but we are still using it since we do not have any other place to access water in this area as you can see that nowadays we are experiencing water problems and we are forced to be using this dam as our source of water but on the other hand we are afraid because the water we are using is not safe,” said Biliati.

Meanwhile, there is high increase in the amount of soil being lost per hector per year a development which is very worrisome since the situation is affecting agricultural activities in the country as famers are failing to produce crops abundantly.

Taulayi Mulewa Programs manager for the Shire Valley Agricultural Division has bemoaned on increase in the amount of soil being eroded annually.

“According to the department of land resources there is an increase in the amount of soil being eroded, currently thirty tonnes per hector per year is being eroded,” said Mulewa.  

Addressing the issue of soil erosion Taulayi Mulewa Programs manager for the Shire Valley Agricultural Division has highlighted on some of the initiative which their department is employing.

“Actually we are planning to plant 8 million trees in this national tree planting season along river banks and hilly areas. The division has launched a project with a theme promoting soil and water conservation technologies which is key to sustainable food income and nutrition,” said Kaulayi.

Land left degraded due to soil erosion

Communities should take it upon themselves by planting more trees and practice conservation agriculture in their respective settings in order to address the issue of soil erosion, since soil erosion contribute to infertility of the land and this can definitely lead to lower crop harvesting and going against the notion that agriculture  is the back bone of Malawi.

MICHIRU NATURE SANCTUARY ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION

                             
                 

                    Michiru sign post

By Lonjezo Jamu       

Countless attempts and projects being implemented by various stakeholders addressing the issue of deforestation in Malawi seem to be futile as the issue continues to blossom in different woodlands.

Michiru nature sanctuary is one of the woodland in Malawi where deforestation is at its best, the on going deforestation at the sanctuary is posing a serious threat to the health and life span of wildlife and as well as disturbing vital affairs at the sanctuary like tourism. Hence, calling for a serious intervention.

Kondwani Wikisi Assistant Park and Wildlife Officer at Michiru nature sanctuary has expressed his worry over the extinction of wildlife if deforestation continues.

“I am very worried that if deforestation continues at this sanctuary then for sure all the remaining species of wild animals will come to extinct and this is a serious issue that requires every Malawian to exercise his or her role”, said Wikisi.

Trees Play a major role in the existence of wildlife in their respective habitats as well as contributing to the issue of climate change perhaps, it is an issue to be treated with maximum  attention.

“Trees are very important to the life of wild animals since they act as shed and shelter to some animals while other trees bear fruits and animals feed on these fruits so when trees are being cut it means animals starve others free and die in the process”, said Wikisi  the Assistant Park and Wildlife Officer.

Concurring with Wikisi on the importance of trees to wildlife  George Kalambo Environmental Officer, he has stressed that trees play a vital role in the existence of wildlife.

“The fertility of forest or game reserves depend on the presence of trees, when leaves fall on the ground and decomposes they act as organic manure so grass together with some trees flourishes on this fertile land and animals find food and shelter so when trees are being cut down then land becomes barren and no glass or tree grows hence animals die”, said Kalambo.

Deforestation at Michiru nature Sanctuary

Deforestation is also affecting the climate of the area called micro climate which makes the area to receive less rain hence less trees in the sanctuary.

“The sanctuary is receiving less rains because of changes in micro climate which is the case due to rampant deforestation”, said GladysMozen  messenger at Michiru nature sanctuary.

Deforestation has also led to the drying up of water streams due to loss of support from trees, soil erosion  hence posing a serious threat to wildlife.

Michiru nature sanctuary is the major sanctuary as compared to the rest of the sanctuaries in Malawi since it has unique features like presence of hyena curves; these are beautiful stones which were laid on top of each other and hyenas hide in these curves at night, Michiru summit is another feature, this is a highest point where people hike and are able to see different views like Mulanje mountain, picnic site is also found at the sanctuary and this is where people flock to for picnics.

With the on going deforestation the sanctuary is on the verge of extinction as the population of species is decreasing as compared to the past where animals like warthogs, creep singers, common dippers were many but currently they are no more.

“In the past the sanctuary had different species as compared to the current situation, for instance animals like warthogs were many now there is a threat that more species will become extinct as people have started hunting monkeys which is a terrible thing”, says Bizwick Gama the Game ranger.

Monkeys playing at Michiru Sanctuary

The malpractice is said to be growing at a rapid pace due to the practices of people around the woodland probably these people claim that they indulge in the malpractice due to poverty, ignorance and lack of ownership of the sanctuary.

“I sell charcoal in order to support my large family as you can see that things are very expensive so I rely on this sanctuary to meet my dairy needs “, said one of the villagers.

Addressing the issue of deforestation, Wikisi, says, his office is conducting different activities to make sure that people are not cutting down trees in order to protect the wild animals and the environment as well , some of the activities include; patrolling the sanctuary, community sensitization on the effects of deforestation, tree planting campaign, educating people on the importance of wildlife among others.

“We are exercising different efforts in order to end this malpractice , for instance we invite chiefs, students at this sanctuary since it is an environmental education centre so we try to disseminate information pertaining to wildlife conservation, we do community mobilization on the effects of deforestation we also have programs like resource utilization whereby people surrounding the sanctuary are allowed to access mushrooms and thatch grass for free in order to foster the spirit of ownership” said Wikisi.

Meanwhile, the chief of suya village where the sanctuary is found, Loudon Suya said that as a chief he is in quest to educate his people on the effects of deforestation and he is working hand in hand with the staff of Michiru, as a matter of fact some rules and regulations have been imposed, community involvement is also there to foster the spirit of ownership among the villagers.


Even though we claim that wildlife attract tourist and boosting Malawi’s economy, but stillmore, trees are being cut down wantonly how then will Malawi’s economy be on track? If the source of income itself is being tampered with, the so called wildlife is becoming extinct and Michiru nature sanctuary is on fire, how about the other sanctuaries, are they in good shape?

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