In bid to reduce speed of water running into Mpasadzi river which recently washed away Mpasadzi bridge along the M1 road in Kasungu, Tobacco Commission (TC) has planted over 2000 trees around the source of the river in the district.

Speaking to Zodiak at Mpasadzi Primary School in the area of Senior Chief Chisinga after planting the trees, Tobacco Commission Kasungu Division Manager Isaac Chikolola said the initiative also aims to support tobacco farmers citing trees are key in tobacco farming.

"We decided to plant the trees here as you know, Mpasadzi river has reminded us that climate change is now a risk to infrastructure development" He said

Added Chikolola." When Mpasadzi bridge was impassable, some of our operations were affected as clients and partners could travel through the bridge head to the north to the central regions of the country".

However, He emphasized that planting the trees seedlings together with tobacco buyers and growers demonstrates their commitment in restoring the nature as trees play a critical role in tobacco farming.

Meanwhile, Kasungu District Council Director of Planning and Development George Mtengowadula said the council has placed deliberate policies to frequently monitor the seedlings planted moving beyond rhetorics.

"We have directed the department of forestry to come here in two weeks time to monitor community dedication in caring for the planted seedlings" he added

On his part, Senior Chief Chisinga said anyone found grazing animals on the land that the seedlings have been planted or commiting an offence will pay a fined of goat.

"As a traditional leader, now is the time people will see my seriousness, climate change has costed my community alot. These trees will have to grow" he said

Tobacco Commission Kasungu Division together with Tobacco buyers and growers is this season planting about 10,000 trees in Kasungu, Ntchisi and Mzimba South.

(By Wilson Allan Phiri)