Government has appealed to traditional leaders to be on the forefront in conserving the country`s environment.

Minister of Forestry and Natural Resources Nancy Tembo said this in Parliament ahead of the commemoration of the National Forestry Season (NFS) which runs from the December 15 to April 15 the following year.

According to Tembo, planting trees alone cannot be enough, but the general public should also participate in taking care of and cleaning their environment.

“Trees and forests have multiple benefits ranging from supply of various products to ecosystem services such as soil conservation, water and climate management thus there is need for every Malawian to take up the responsibility of conserving the environment,” said Tembo.

The Minister added that government is committed to expedite the attainment of 4.5 million hectares towards the goal to restore degraded agriculture and forestry landscapes across the country.

“We as a ministry employ each one of us to ensure that tree planting must be done throughout the year to restore our rivers and habitats.”

“Let us plant trees on our birthdays, wedding days, anniversaries, celebration of a new born baby and in memory of our departed ones, let’s find opportunities to plant more and more trees,” said Tembo.

The minister has also pledged that her Ministry will supply to each constituency a thousand plus tree seedlings to be distributed for village woodlots within the constituency.

This year’s NFS will be commemorated under the theme: “Trees and forests for improved health and well-being”.