A Thyolo-based environmental conservation organization, Posiye Gardens, has emphasized the importance of instilling a tree-planting culture among students to help Malawi recover its lost vegetative cover.

The call was made on Thursday when the organization donated and planted 50 fruit trees at Matapwata Secondary School in the district as one of the initiatives aimed at restoring the environment within learning institutions.

The donated trees included mangoes, papayas, avocados, and guavas.

Speaking after the tree-planting exercise, Posiye Gardens Director Henderson Namwali said the organization deliberately selected the school because it lacked fruit trees, making it an ideal place to promote environmental conservation and nutrition among learners.

“We want to teach students at this school the habit of planting trees so that our environment can quickly return to its natural state,” said Namwali.

Namwali added that empowering young people with environmental responsibility is key to ensuring long-term sustainability and community resilience against climate change effects.

A student leader at the school, Tabitha Jonam, who heads the environmental conservation club, welcomed the initiative and pledged that learners would take good care of the newly planted trees.

“We are grateful to Posiye Gardens for these trees. We will take responsibility for looking after them and make sure they all grow,” said Jonam, noting that the trees will also improve the school’s surroundings.

Meanwhile, Thyolo District Council has set an ambitious target of planting one million trees this season and has urged communities to prioritize caring for the planted seedlings to ensure high survival rates and maximize environmental benefits.

District Commissioner Noel Dakamau made the appeal on Thursday during the district’s official tree-planting launch held at Boma Primary School. He revealed that the district has already secured 1,028,000 tree seedlings, with 500,000 planted so far.

Dakamau warned that excessive cutting of trees for household and business use has left the district increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods and landslides.

On his part, District Council Chairperson George Jailosi also encouraged residents to actively participate in the campaign, highlighting that timely rainfall and favorable weather conditions provide an opportunity for successful tree planting and growth.