Doreen Malama

Integrated environmental management promotes a sustainable use of the environment it is a good practice implemented in Katete district. As the local authority, the council coordinates all the programmes in the district which include; conservation farming, construction of energy saving stoves which was spearheaded by Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and 3Rocks and tree planting among others. In Katete district vulnerable women who include; widows among others are taught how to practice conservation farming, conservation farming is easy to pract6ice and cost effective as it only requires the use of decomposed manure with no or little adverse effect on the environment. The energy saving stove project, an initiative introduced by 3rocks and LWF uses very few sticks when preparing meals, thus reducing on the number of trees to be cut as fuel. This practice does not only conserve our forest but also reduces the burden of women walking long distances to fetch firewood. This state of affair translates in more time for women and girls to engage in other productive activities such as farming, going to school among others. Trees are essential for human survival, as they provide food, medicine and fuel. Trees also serve as habitats for various wildlife such as birds among others, further, tree act as carbon sinks thus helping in combating climate change. Despite the significant purposes the trees serve they have been cut uncontrollably in the district which has led to deforestation and environmental degradation.