Some passionate villagers along Lake Chilwa in Zomba district are leading the way in protecting and restoring the lake’s potential amid challenges induced by climate change.
The villagers, operating under the banner Mkuba Beach Village Committee (BVC) from Namasalima Village in Traditional Authority Kumtumanji have formed strategies that are protecting the lake from the threats of overfishing and drying up.
Mkuba BVC leader Patrick Mtanga said the villagers decided to form the alliance in 2023 in a quest to reverse the dangers the lake was facing.
“Lake Chilwa is arguably one of the country’s critical water bodies and the threat of climate change wrecking havoc across the country has been affecting the lake, affecting us as end-users in the process,” he said.
Mtanga said apart from civic educating local fishermen about the dangers of overfishing, the committee also launched a tree planting exercise as one way of preventing siltation.
“In 2023, we planted thousands of trees along several rivers that pour water in the lake to prevent soil erosion and I am happy that some of the interventions have started paying off,” said Mtanga.
To sustain its operations, the committee also invested in fishing boat business that are rented to fishermen at a small fee.
“That business alone, from ten boats, is earning us K300 ,000 per month which is helping us to support our families,” he added.
The group, comprising of 7 members, has since vowed to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the lake is safeguarded.
The group’s passionate wish to see Lake Chilwa restored earned it a K3 million grant from the Civil Society Network on Climate change (CISONEC), which it says will be used to purchase a big engine boat.
Environmental expert Maloto Chimkombero has commended the group, calling its exploits patriotic.
“We need more groups like these to ensure the survival of our precious water bodies,” said Chimkombero.
