By Jones Gadama
The Ministry of Lands has vowed to deal decisively with land encroachment in Mangochi, urging district councils to rally behind efforts to safeguard unused public land.
During a meeting in Mangochi to prepare land use plans for group village areas under Traditional Authority Chowe, the ministry’s Commissioner for Physical Planning, Robins Lukasi, highlighted cases of encroachment on idle leasehold estates and public land.
Lukasi noted that individuals are occupying public land meant for government entities, such as Ministry of Agriculture offices or schools, which were initially dedicated for public use.
“We shall deal with this vice decisively using the law,” Lukasi said, describing the behavior as serious and widespread.
He emphasized that district councils should collaborate with the Ministry of Lands and land users to protect public land, including road and river reserves.
The initiative aims to promote proper land use planning in group village areas, which will help safeguard land for infrastructure development, aligning with the Malawi 2063 Vision. This will also ensure that land for farming is registered and protected.
Mangochi District Council’s Director of Human Resource and Administration, Thomas Mwafongo, welcomed the initiative, stating that the meeting on land use plans for group village areas is timely.
The council, local leaders, and residents will work together to define land types, register them, and address encroachment and disputes.
Annet Mlenga, Acting Environmental Officer for Mangochi, stressed the importance of environmental protection during development.
Developers should preserve vegetation by clearing only necessary areas and ensure proper waste management.
The Ministry of Lands’ efforts to address land encroachment are crucial in promoting sustainable land use and protecting public land.
The initiative will help to ensure that land is used for the benefit of all Malawians, rather than just a few individuals.
By working together, the Ministry of Lands, district councils, and local communities can protect public land and promote development that aligns with the country’s vision for the future.
