In a bid to address challenges the Community Conservation Area (CCA) members face, the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) has donated equipment worth K30 million to three committees in Nsanje and Chikwawa districts.
Three committees from Lengwe National Park, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Elephant Marsh were given bicycles, gumboots, rechargeable torches, binoculars, bags and reflectors.
Project Coordinator for the SVTP Stanley Chakhumbira Khaira said on Tuesday that the tools will go a long way in the conservation of the habitants.
Speaking to ProjectM Khaira said the members are doing commendable work in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in the protection of the environment.
“Let us take care of the equipment you have received today so that they last a long time,” said the project coordinator.
In his remarks, the Director of National Park and Wildlife Brighton Kumchedwa hailed the SVTP for the various support it is offering to his department.
He observed that there are various initiatives being implemented in the conservation of the environment by the SVTP.
“Our wildlife in Lengwe National Park, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, Matandwe Forest Reserve, including the Elephant Marsh are fully conserved,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Caroline Jacob Alindiamawo confessed that communities around Kanyimbi and Kaloga used to poach animals from Mwabvi Game Reserve for consumption.
She revealed that the arrival of the SVTP has changed the mindset of people in the areas.
“The communities of the surrounding areas have been given goats through the pass-on program,” Alindiamawo said, adding that she has her own 17 goats after passing out to the second beneficiary.
The SVTP component of Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is carrying out the conservation of natural resources.
