URAC BEEKEEPING PROJECT SAVES VINTHUKUTU FOREST
A local non-governmental organization, Urban Research and Advocacy Centre (URAC), implemented a beekeeping project last year in November 2025 that has helped save the Vinthukutu forest from reckless tree cutting and charcoal burning. The project, launched with two aims to preserve the forest and provide a source of income for local people in Mponela village. Principal Group Village Head Mponela, Traditional Authority (TA) Wasambo, expressed gratitude to URAC for initiating the project, saying, "I'm very glad about this project in my area. We've had issues with reckless tree cutting for charcoal and brick making, which has led to rainfall scarcity." He added that Chilumba relies heavily on the forest for rainfall, but the changing weather patterns due to deforestation have affected the community. Joseph Mweso, a community member, witnessed the positive impact of the beekeeping project, stating, "The Vinthukutu forest lacked security to protect it due to inadequat...