WESM in bird habitat restoration around Chia Lagoon in Nkhota-Kota
WESM plans to better manage and restore the vital lagoon ecosystem, reverse decline in vulnerable and declining bird species and improve communities livelihooods
Blessings Chingagwe, Wildlife and Environmental Society, Programmes Manager will take a lead role in the project
NKHOTA-KOTA, Malawi (Planet Defence) – Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), arguably Malawi’s oldest Non-Governmental Organization has stepped in to strengthen effort towards ecosystem restoration of the bird population around Chia Lagoon in Nkhota-Kota district.
Speaking during launch of a MK312 million Chia Lagoon Waterbird Project, funded by UK based organization Dawn initiative, WESM Programs Manager, Blessings Chingagwe, said the organization will assist surrounding communities in protecting birds, as Chia Lagoon is not gazetted as a protected area.
"The project will work with communities to better manage and restore the vital lagoon ecosystem, reverse decline in vulnerable and declining bird species and improve livelihoods in the communities." Chingagwe said.
Nkhota-Kota District Environmental Officer, Jane Kayira urged WESM to partner with other organizations already on the ground with related projects and utilize existing structures for smooth implementation.
Kayira advised that use of already existing community structures ensures project sustainability. Â She cited for instance, partners like Ripple Africa implementing a similar fish for tomorrow project which is looking at the ecosystem around the lagoon.
WESM has been protecting Malawi's remarkable biodiversity and ecosystems for over 75 years.
The project will work with nine villages from the areas of Senior Chief Mwadzama and Traditional Authority Kalimanjira and Nkhanga in the district.
In the course of the project implementation, WESM will partner with Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change through Department of Fisheries, Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Tourism through Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Micro loan Foundation, African Parks and Ripple Africa.
Source: Malawi News Agency