Rev. Kwalamasa told Zodiak Online on Monday that it was imperative that the men also engage in environmental management beside spreading the gospel especially now when effects of disasters have negatively impacted on the country's economy.

He said that for the church to play its meaningful role, it must also take care of God's creation as proclaimed by the Lord to man in Genesis, that he takes care all of the creation.

"The Lord told man to take care of all crawling animals, birds and sea creatures. He named them and it is good that he sees beauty in this responsibility and take care of them with total pride," said the Rev.

One of the Men's Ministry members Masautso Gazamiyala has applauded the church's leadership for providing them with space to plant the trees and has encouraged the youths to take emulate the gesture.

He said that "We want to instill a good sense of environmental conservation in the youths and we hope they will take part in managing these trees to their maturity".

According to Neno department of forestry, over 21 hectares of forest cover has been depleted by various human activities such as charcoal burning and illegal harvesting of the trees for timber.