Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation and Rehabilitation Trust, a Cooperation Circle of United Religious Initiatives led the youth in Lilongwe city on Saturday, 17th June, 2023, in a market clean-up campaign at Chigwirizano market as part of the commemoration for this year’s World Environment Day which falls on 05th June, every year. The day was observed this year under the theme "Beating plastic pollution".
Speaking at after the event, Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation and Rehabilitation Trust, director of environmental conservation Emmanuel Phiri said that they thought of working with youth in Chinsapo and surrounding areas to advocate against the use of thin plastics and promote proper hygiene and sanitation in the targeted market place.
"We are trying to encourage the youth’s participation in taking the leading role to care for their own environment, and as you have heard, the theme of this year World Environmental day is beating plastic pollution and we therefore send our message to the general public to stop using thin plastics as they cause great damage to our environment " Phiri said.
Chigwirizano market committee Secretary, Transizio Divason said he was happy working together with youth in cleaning the market as it is in line with city councils vision to have clean and healthy business environment.
" I am very impressed with how these youth have done today to come here and support us in cleaning our market, this will send a strong message to those using the market and other areas to take good care of the environment," Divason said.
Blessings Mukatipa one of the youth who took part in the cleaning exercise said he was happy to be one of the youth in championing Environmental conservation. "I am very happy to be one of the people addressing the need to take care of our environment and we choose not to be leaders of tomorrow for our time to act is now” Mukatipa said.
After the clean-up exercise, an environmental marching was conducted from Chigwirizano to Chinsapo 2, displaying different messages to the public through placards advocating against plastic pollution and the need for clean and health environment for everyone. Notable stakeholders who took part during the event included Chinsapo Youth Network, Lilongwe CC and Reach Out and touch youth group.
The event was conducted with financial support from United Religious Initiatives (URI) Southern Africa through the Malawi National Coordinators’ office.
