Ministry of Natural Resources launches publications to sensitize people on effects of alien species
The Government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources & Climate Change and in collaboration with various development partners, has developed three main publications that sensitises efforts being undertaken to address invasive alien species in the country. 
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are destructive non-native plant and animal species — some of which are deliberately imported or brought in by accident — which are posing as one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and livelihoods.
The publications were launched at the joint commemorate of the 2024 International Day for Biological Diversity and the World Environment Day held at Neno Community Sports Centre on Friday.
The International Day for Biological Diversity falls on May 22 every year while the World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 and Secretary for Natural Resources & Climate Change-Administration, Richard Perekamoyo said the two events were planned to be jointly commemorated because they are related in nature; their themes are related and dates for their commemoration are closer to each other.
The joint commemoration was held under the theme ‘Be Part of the Plan. My Land, My Future’ — which “aims to raise understanding and awareness on the importance of biodiversity and sound environment management in maintaining ecological balance and providing essential services critical for human wellbeing and livelihoods”.
Perekamoyo enlightened the gathering, that included primary and secondary learners, that invasive alien species are plants or animals which are introduced in the environment accidentally or deliberately and once established they compete with the native species.
“They can replace the native species and thus affecting the diversity of species in the environment,” he said. “This may lead to loss of beneficial species of both plants and animals in the environment.
“Globally, invasive alien species are among the key drivers of biodiversity loss and hence the need to prevent their introduction and manage their spread in our environment.”
He thus said to mitigate the threat, the Ministry has developed the invasive alien species field guide — the National Invasive Species Strategy & Action Plan and the Invasive Species Pathway Analysis Study Report — which “will support rapid identification of invasive species and taking appropriate action to prevent further biodiversity loss”.
“Let me encourage you to get hold of these important knowledge products and be part of the solution in prevention, controlling and managing invasive species in Malawi.
“The field guide provide information on what species should not be planted on our land while the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan provides guidance on actions to be taken in controlling and managing invasive species.
“Let us collaborate in the fight to eradicate these unwanted species to halt biodiversity loss and conserve our land,” he said at the event graced by Traditional Chiefs; Board chairperson of Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Robert Kafakoma; deputy Director of Environmental Affairs, Benon Yassin; District Commissioner, Rosemary Nawasha Neno; Councillors and the young minds of the district.
In March this year, Environmental Affairs Department, in partnership with Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) and Wildlife & Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), brought together media practitioners to an interactive engagement in Mulanje where they unveiled the serious campaign of informing farming communities being affected by destructive non-native plant species that are infecting their farm productivity and biodiversity in order to control and eradicate its negative effects.
The media team were implored to amplify to the public that invasive alien species — dubbed locally as mulanda malo — are adversely affecting biodiversity, both locally and globally.
The community members which the media visited attested that invasive alien species are very persistent plant species that invade and threaten quite a range of habitats, as well as, indirectly, the livelihoods of millions of people depending on natural ecosystems for food, commodities and energy security.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :