CLEAN-UP - Cape Maclear residents in waste and recycling effort to foster eco-tourism
Rationale for national clean-up is to ensure a healthy environment for all Malawians as enshrined in the republican constitution which is supreme law of the land.
MANGOCHI, Malawi (Planet Defence) - In a bid to promote community-driven eco-tourism and nurture a biodiverse environment, Sustainable Cape Maclear, a community-based organization in Mangochi district, has launched a waste management initiative through cleanup exercises and recycling efforts writes Maureen Kawerama from Monkey-Bay in Mangochi.
Established in 2018, Sustainable Cape Maclear aims to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the Cape Maclear community. The organization focuses on promoting sustainable socio-economic and environmental practices by harnessing local knowledge, skills, and resources, alongside fostering diverse partnerships.
John Banana Matewere, Team Leader of Sustainable Cape Maclear, expressed the vision of contributing to making Lake Malawi National Park a premier tourism destination recognized by the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a world heritage site.
The goal is to encourage all residents and visitors to actively engage in conserving its aesthetic value, ensuring equitable benefits for both present and future generations.
“Cape Maclear holds significant tourist appeal in Malawi. To ensure its long-term sustainability as a visitor destination, we collaborate with local and international stakeholders. We conduct various activities such as environmental cleanup campaigns, establishing sound waste management systems, involving locals in tourism, implementing viable recycling programs, and providing rubbish collection services while distributing dustbins in the villages,” stated Matewere.
Yasuko Kusakari, a Long-Term Researcher involved in the Integrated Natural Resources Management Systems in Lake Malawi National Park (IntNRMS Project), commended Sustainable Cape Maclear for their impactful initiatives.
“Over the past two and a half years, I have witnessed a considerable reduction in waste around Cape Maclear due to the frequent cleanup campaigns organized by Sustainable Cape Maclear. These efforts have contributed to a positive change in the community's mindset and attitudes toward waste management,” remarked Kusakari.
Mussa Saidi, Chairperson of the Cape Maclear Area Development Committee, stressed the importance of continued collaboration among various institutions to maintain Cape Maclear’s attractiveness and environmental sustainability.
During a special address on the environment at State House in Lilongwe on October 19, 2020, President Chakwera emphasized the urgent need to fully implement the ban on thin plastics to restore Malawi’s environmental beauty.
In a bid to encourage citizen participation in combating plastic use and littering, President Chakwera launched a National Clean-up Day in November 2020, emphasizing that it signifies Malawi’s commitment to global climate action and the transition to a low-carbon future.
“I urge every Malawian to join the National Clean-up Day. It is a crucial step in our global commitment to undertake climate action, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and steering towards a sustainable, low-carbon pathway,” conveyed Chakwera in his national address.