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STATUS OF FORESTS AND
TREE MANAGEMENT IN
MALAWI
A Position Paper Prepared for the
Coordination Union for Rehabilitation of
the Environment (CURE)
Daulos D.C. Mauambeta (WESM)
David Chitedze (Greenline Movement)
Reginald Mumba (CURE)
14
th
SEPTEMBER 2010
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
Page ii of 50
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. ii
ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................... v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... vii
1.0 HISTORY OF FOREST CONSERVATION IN MALAWI .............................................. - 1 -
1.1 1920-1964: Before Independence ............................................................................... - 1 -
1.2 1964-1985: Early post independence .......................................................................... - 1 -
1.3 1986-1994: Authoritarian and pre-democratic state .................................................. - 2 -
1.4 1995-2010: Multi-party democracy ............................................................................. - 2 -
2.0 TRENDS IN FOREST COVER ........................................................................................ - 5 -
2.1 National Forest Cover ................................................................................................ - 5 -
2.2 Forest cover by District .............................................................................................. - 6 -
2.3 Public Forests in Malawi ........................................................................................ - 7 -
2.3.1 Forest Plantation Agreements .............................................................................. - 9 -
2.4. Factors leading to forest cover loss ......................................................................... - 10 -
2.4.1 High population growth ................................................................................... - 10 -
2.4.2 Tobacco growing................................................................................................. - 11 -
2.4.3 Agricultural expansion ................................................................................. - 14 -
2.4.4 Biomass Energy and Non-Energy Demands................................................. - 15 -
2.4.5 Brick burning ....................................................................................................... - 16 -
2.4.5 Urbanization ....................................................................................................... - 17 -
2.4.6. Inadequate budgetary support from Government ........................................... - 19 -
3.0 THE POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK, STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS ............. - 21 -
3.1 Policy and legal framework ........................................................................................ - 21 -
3.1.1 The Malawi Constitution .................................................................................... - 21 -
3.1.2 Vision 2020 and Malawi Growth Development Strategy ................................... - 21 -
3.1.3 The Malawi Forestry Policy and Legislation ....................................................... - 22 -
3.1.4 The National Forestry Programme (NFP) ........................................................... - 22 -
3.1.5 Standards and Guidelines for Participatory Forestry ......................................... - 22 -
3.2 Forest and Tree Management in Malawi ................................................................... - 23 -
3.2.1 Wood Energy Plantations ................................................................................... - 23 -
3.2.2 Blantyre City Fuel wood Plantations .................................................................. - 23 -
3.2.3 Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (IFMSLP) ... -
24 -
3.2.4 Forestry Replanting and Tree Nursery Project (FOREP) ..................................... - 27 -
3.2.5 Tree Planting and Management for Carbon Sequestration and Other Ecosystems
Services ........................................................................................................................ - 27 -
3.2.6 The Income Generating Public Works Programme (IGPWP) .............................. - 27 -
3.2.7 Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests (SMIF) Project ....................... - 27 -
3.2.9 Bwanje Rural Environmental and Development Organization (BERDO) ............ - 28 -
3.2.10 Sendwe Village Forest Area, T.A Khongoni, Lilongwe ...................................... - 29 -
3.2.11 Rivirivi River Catchment Management Project ................................................ - 30 -
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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3.2.12 Chingoli Village Forest Area (Bisa Hill), T.A. Nkula, Machinga .......................... - 30 -
3.2.13 Howe Village Forest Area, T.A. Mlumbe, Zomba.............................................. - 31 -
3.2.14 Graveyards .................................................................................................. - 31 -
4.0 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES ...................................................................................................... - 33 -
4.1 Land tenure and ownership of trees and forests ...................................................... - 33 -
4.2. Policy and Implementation Failure ............................................................................ - 34 -
4.2.1 Influence of politics (single to multiparty to democracy) .................................. - 34 -
4.2.2 Laisser-faire approach to forest management ................................................... - 34 -
4.2.3 Professional concubinage ................................................................................... - 35 -
4.2.4 Corruption .......................................................................................................... - 35 -
4.2.5 Poor Governance at local level ........................................................................... - 35 -
4.2.6 In-efficient administration, weak leadership and poor governance ........... - 36 -
4.2.7 Funding and its prioritization ............................................................................. - 36 -
4.3 Globalization and Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPS) ................................. - 36 -
5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................ - 38 -
5.1 Effective Policy Implementation ................................................................................. - 38 -
5.2 Recovering land forest cover .................................................................................... - 38 -
5.3 Survival rates of planted trees ................................................................................... - 38 -
5.4 Alternative energy sources ........................................................................................ - 38 -
5.5 Forest on tobacco estates ......................................................................................... - 39 -
5.6 Regulate the use of burnt red bricks ................................................................... - 40 -
5.7 Promotion of Individual Ownership of tree planting and management .............. - 40 -
5.8 Reduce Population Increase ................................................................................ - 40 -
5.9 Promote conservation of graveyards, Manda ........................................................... - 40 -
7.0 REFERENCES................................................................................................................... - 43 -
Tables of Tables
Table 1: Forest Cover (%) by District in 1993 ...................................................................... - 6 -
Table 2: Malawi's Forest Reserves and Plantations ............................................................ - 8 -
Table 3: Population distribution and density (1987, 1998 and 2008) ................................. - 11 -
Table 4: Number of registered tobacco smallholder clubs 2000 to 2009/10 ..................... - 13 -
Table 5: Number or registered tobacco estates ................................................................. - 14 -
Table 6: Land use types for Malawi (1991-2008) ................................................................ - 15 -
Table 7: Total national energy demand in Malawi, by sector and fuel ................................ - 16 -
Table 8 : Recurrent budget and estimated SLM Epxneidture of the Department of Forestry
('000 MK) ............................................................................................................................. - 20 -
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
Page iv of 50
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Land cover loss between 1972 and 1990 in Km
2
.................................................. - 5 -
Figure 2: Malawi Landcover Changes 1979 to 1999 ) ........................................................... - 6 -
Figure 3: Population Increase in Malawi (1907 to 2008) in Millions ................................. - 10 -
Figure 4: Non Household use of firewood in Malawi (January 2009) ................................. - 12 -
Figure 5: Recurrent Budgets and Estimated SLM Expenditure of the Department of Forest
(MK) ..................................................................................................................................... - 19 -
Figure 6: Improved Forestry for Sustainable Programme (IFMSLP) Sites ........................... - 25 -
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
Page v of 50
ABBREVIATIONS
ACB Anti-Corruption Bureau
AIDs Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
ARET Agricultural Research and Extension Trust
BERDO Bwanje Environmental and Rural Development Organization
BEST Biomass Energy Strategy
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CSOs Civil Society Organizations
CURE Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment
DoF Department of Forestry
DWT Dark Western Tobacco
ESCOM Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FCT Flue Cured Tobacco
FD Forest Department
FOREP Forestry Replanting and Tree Nursery Project
FOSA Forestry Outlook Studies in Africa
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GLM Greenline Movement
GoM Government of Malawi
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
IFMSLP Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme
IGPWP Income Generating Public Works Programme
MEET Malawi Environment Endowment Trust
MGDS Malawi Growth and Development Strategy
NDDF Northern Division Dark Fired
NFP National Forestry Programme
NSO National Statistical Office
ORT Other Recurrent Transactions
PHC Population and Housing Census
SAPS Structural Adjustment Programmes
SMIF Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forest
TA Tribal Authority
TCC Tobacco Control Commission
TPMCSOES Tree Planting and Management for Carbon Sequestration and Other
Ecosystems Services
VFA Village Forest Area
VNRMC Village Natural Resources Management Committee
WESM Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Team would like to thank the Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the
Environment (CURE) for the financial support provided to enable this work done.
We would like also to thank each and every individual that was, in one way or
another, either consulted or provided data for this paper.
At WESM, we would like to thank the Accountant, Miss Nellie Yalaukani for
facilitating all the logistics during meetings and field visits.
Finally, we would like to thank all those that gave feedback to this paper.
Yours sincerely, the Team
Daulos D.C. Mauambeta, Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM)
David Chitedze, Greenline Movement
Reginald Mumba, Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the
Environment (CURE)
Cover photo: Chongoni Forest Plantation- illegal timber harvesting by neighbouring
communities. Daulos Mauambeta, 2010
Funding support:
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the
European Union through the Capacity Building Program for NSAs in
Malawi. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of
CURE and its partners and those of the authors and can under no
circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European
Union.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The position paper has consolidated a number of reports and studies that have been
done over the years supplemented by empirical evidence through photography to
highlight the current status of Malawi’s trees and forests.
The paper looks at the history of forest conservation in Malawi from the period
before independence, early post-independence during Kamuzu Banda era, and the
multi-party democracy period. All these periods have their own milestones and
challenges in forest conservation and management in Malawi.
The paper has also looked at forest cover trends in Malawi. In general, Malawi has
lost her forest cover by over 40% between 1972 and 1990. This figure should be
much less now. More forest cover has been lost in communal areas compared to
public protected areas. There are many factors that have led to forest cover loss
amongst which are high population growth, opening of forests for settlements and
agriculture; tobacco growing, biomass energy, brick burning, urbanization and
inadequate budgetary support from government.
The paper has tried to look at the policy and legal framework to justify and
underscore the fact that Malawi has the necessary policy and legal instruments in
place for effective forest and tree management. A number of supporting instruments
such as programmes and strategies also exist. It is also found that a number of
interventions have taken place by government, local communities and the private
sector to address the issue of forest and tree management in Malawi. To this end, a
review of some public and community forest programmes has been made.
Despite the existence of a robust policy and legal framework, strategies,
programmes and guidelines and many interventions done by both government,
private sector and civil society, a number of issues have been identified which are
impinging on sustainable forest and tree management in Malawi. Some of these issues
include but are not limited to the following:- land tenure and ownership of trees and
forests, policy and implementation failure, influence of politics; laisser-faire approach
to forest management, professional concubinage, corruption, poor governance at
local level, in-efficient administration and weak leadership; inadequate funding and its
prioritization and globalization and Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPS).
The paper concludes with some recommendations on the way forward and possible
advocacy issues and actions for CURE and its partners to engage Government of
Malawi and the people of Malawi if our forests and trees are to be sustainably
managed.
1.0 HISTORY OF FOREST CONSERVATION IN
MALAWI
The political processes operating in a country have a large bearing on the
development agenda, including forest conservation and development. Hence, in this
issue paper, the history of forest conservation in Malawi will be aligned to the
important political periods.
1.1 1920-1964: Before Independence
• During this period, state forest reserves were constituted free from rights of
users and any native interests. In addition, communal forest scheme was
launched by creating Village Forest Areas (VFAs), which were set aside by the
Tribal Authority (TA), with technical support from the Forest Department
(FD). A total of 69,000 hectares of VFAs were set aside by 1940, under the
control of local headmen and for the purpose of local use.
• During the same period, first native foresters were appointed. Forest Guards
were posted at each TA to license and control extraction of Khaya anthotheca
(Mbawa) and Pterocarpus angolensis (Mlombwa), which occurred within and
outside of the VFAs. The proportion of revenue share was 75% going to the
local council and 25% to the central government. “Colonial fund” paid
salaries and expenses for local TA councils. The arrangement provided a very
important source of revenue to the councils for local development. At the
same time, first attempts were made to encourage reforestation of denuded
lands but results were unsatisfactory because of unsuitability of the planting
sites for the (exotic) species.
1.2 1964-1985: Early post-independence
• During this period, the Department of Forestry shifted its attention to
establishing industrial plantations for national timber self-sufficiency, in line
with international trends at the time.
• Forest Guards were withdrawn from Tribal Authority (TA) areas, and placed
in the forest reserves. Colonial fund discontinued, and as a result, TAs were
weakened and they could no longer protect and manage their VFAs.
Revenue from timber sales for local development also dwindled.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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• Another development that occurred was that the forestry extension became
the responsibility of Agricultural Extension workers, who had little
knowledge about forestry, and hence, had little interest in advising local
people on management of VFAs.
• Due to post independence euphoria, people moved into and cleared large
areas of VFAs in the spirit of reclaiming the land. As a result, VFAs declined
from over 5,000 in 1964 to 1,200 in 1985. However, on a positive note, the
National Tree Planting Programme was initiated, which focused on promoting
the fast growing exotic species (free seedlings), and incentives (tree planting
bonuses) were used to encourage tree planting in rural areas.
1.3 1986-1994: Authoritarian and pre-democratic state
This period was characterized by the following events/issues:
• Forestry Department took over responsibility of protection, control and
management of customary lands from local councils.
• Forestry Department was under pressure to generate more revenue for the
state under the Appropriation-in aid financing arrangement. The Customary
Land Division (within Forestry Department) was set up to oversee extraction
of royalties for timber and firewood harvesting from customary land. As a
result, large scale extraction of timber and firewood took place, including
from VFAs, individual’s fields and gardens and along riverbanks.
• Revenue share was reversed; 75% going to the central government and 25%
to local councils, but even then, the 25% was not paid to councils. The
bizarre aspect of this arrangement was that no compensation was paid to
local people for removing trees from their own fields or VFAs.
• Widespread corruption was reported, involving Forestry staff, and they
became unpopular, as they were seen as being responsible for denuding the
woodlands from customary lands.
1.4 1995-2010: Multi-party democracy
The following major issues have occurred:
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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• The first five years were characterized by multiparty democracy euphoria,
resulting in destruction of timber plantations and escalation of deforestation
through charcoal production on both private and customary land, e.g.,
Ndirande Timber Plantation in Blantyre disappeared within two years after
attaining the multiparty system of government (in 1994).
• Due to the restructuring process in the public service, massive layoffs of
general workers occurred, particularly in the forest plantations, and this
resulted in an inadequate management that resulted in increased fire
incidences among other things.
• Tree planting subsidies and bonuses were phased out, and seedling
production was handed over to local communities, but FD continues to
provide seed and other inputs, though on a limited scale due to limitation of
funds.
• Recognition of the need to return ownership of trees and forests to local
communities.
• Efforts to revive the VFA system through setting up of Village Natural
Resource Management Committees (VNRMCs), and providing them with
silvicultural training. By 2002, 4,878 VNRMCs had been formed, but only
2,732 (56%) were reportedly active while 1,025 (21%) had been trained (DoF
Annual Report, 2002).
Figure 1: VNRMC NUMBERS IN 2002
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Total Active Trained
VNRMCs 2002
• New/revised National Forest Policy (1996) and Forest Act (1997) gives local
people full ownership of trees grown and managed by them on customary
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
Page - 4 - of 50
land. Local people authorized to extract wood and non-wood products
without a license for subsistence use. However, FD continues to control the
timber and firewood trade through system of loyalties and claims 20% of the
revenue.
• Forestry Department engaged in efforts to re-orientate staff to play a
supportive and facilitator role. However, licensing and law enforcement to
control harvesting and transport of forest produce remains forestry staff
duties.
• Plethora of donor funded projects of over 40 community forestry projects in
1996. Many of them focused on the improved management of indigenous
woodlands.
• During the 1995-2004 period, District Forest Offices and forest stations
suffered severe funding. For example, in 1995 a District Forestry Office could
get a monthly funding of MK10,000.00 (which in 2010 is MK37,000.00)
• The country starts adopting co-management approach to forestry
management
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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2.0 TRENDS IN FOREST COVER
2.1 National Forest Cover
In 1975, 47% of the territory in Malawi was classified as forest. But today, out of the
total land area of 94,270,000 ha of Malawi, 3,336,000 ha, which represents 36 %, is
classified as forest (FAOSTAT 2010). Of this area, 15 % is under natural woodlands on
customary lands, 11 % under national parks and game reserves and 10 % under forest
reserves and protected hill slopes. This is the highest deforestation rate in the SADC
region, representing a net loss of some 30,000 to 40,000 hectares per year of (mostly
miombo) woodland in Malawi.
During the last decade, the rate of deforestation, (percentage of forest cover lost per
year) ranged from 1% to about 3% overall, averaging 2.3% in recent years (1998). For
example, Malawi lost 2,501,571 ha. of both Indigenous and plantation forests between
1972-1992; much higher values after this period. Between 1972 and 1990, overall forest
cover declined by 41% at the rate of 2.3% per annum; forest cover declined by 5% on
public land mainly in protected areas at the rate of 0.03% per annum and 61% on
customary and private land at the rate of 3.4% per annum from increased demands for
farmland and wood ( Bunderson & Hayes).
Much of the current deforestation pressure occurs in indigenous forests and woodland
and on customary land.
Figure 2: Land cover loss between 1972 and 1990 in Km
2
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
1972 1990
Total Public Land Customary/ Pvt Land
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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2.2 Forest cover by District
Table 1 shows that between 1992 and 1993, there was a lot of variation in terms of forest
cover from District to District. Some Districts had a forest cover below 5% (Thyolo,
Chiradzulu and Dowa) while others had large forest cover percentage of over 50% (Karonga,
Nkhatabay and Nkhotakota). This scenario could be different today.
Table 1: Forest Cover (%) by District in 1993
District
Forest
area%
District
Forest
area%
District
Forest
area%
Chitipa
38
Mchinji
9
Zomba
7
Karonga
69
Lilongwe
16
Mwanza
31
Rumphi
44
Dowa
4
Blantyre
30
Nkhatabay
58
Salima
7
Chiradzulu
4
Mzimba
25
Dedza
22
Mulanje
12
Kasungu
28
Ntcheu
10
Chikwawa
33
Nkhotakota
52
Mangochi
38
Thyolo
2
Ntchisi
13
Machinga
16
Nsanje
34
Source: Malawi Land Cover Map by Swedish Satellitbild and Forestry Department (1993) under the
Wood Energy Component of the World Bank Malawi Energy 1 Project
Figure 3: Malawi Landcover Changes 1979 to 1999 )
Source: Department
of Forestry
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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2.3 Public Forests in Malawi
These forest reserves were gazetted for watershed and catchment conservation, provision
and regulation of environmental services like soil conservation and biodiversity conservation,
aesthetic and cultural values and for production purposes. More than 300 ha in Malosa
Forest reserve in Zomba has been turned to arable land with very good knowledge of all
stakeholders. However the area for the forest reserves presented in Table 2 represents the
gazzeted area. There are various issues and human activities that are threatening the original
status of the forest reserves and plantations. Encroachment for cultivation and settlements is
one of the major problems in forest reserves. Kainja (2000) has reported that 23,012
hectares representing 2.6% out of 870,052 ha of forest reserves were encroached at 571
locations across Malawi.
Ndirande Forest Reserve was encroached for settlements and cultivation. Government has
since reclaimed 300ha and the encroachers have been compensated approximately MK16
million. The remaining encroached 400 ha will cost government MK36 million for houses and
gardens the encroachers had established. The integrity of these protected areas is also under
threat from illegal production of charcoal to supply urban centres with low cost fuel. Most of
the charcoal is produced from forest reserves with 15,000 ha cleared for an estimated
volume of 6.08
million standard
bags per year
consumed in the
Malawi’s four cities
(Kambewa et al
2007, Charcoal the
Reality).
The remains of Maravi Forest Reserve, Blantyre. D Mauambeta 2010
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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Table 2: Malawi's Forest Reserves and Plantations
Pr
otected area
Area
in ha
Year
gazetted
Protected area
Area in
ha
Year
gazetted
Northern Region
Bunganya
Uzumara
754
1948
Chisasira
3447
1973
Vinthukutu
1957
1948
Kalwe
159
1956
Mahowe
59.168km
2002
Kaning’ina
14007
1935
Kamphoyo
635
Lunyangwa
374
1
935
Jembya
13764
1981
Mafinga Hills
4734
1976
Chikhang’ombe
5921
2002
Litchenya
316
1948
South Karonga Escarpment
13050
2002
Matipa
1055
1948
North Karonga Escarpment
7907
2002
Mtangatanga
8099
1935
South viphya
157728
1958
Mughese
771
1948
Ruvuo
4792.9 1935
Musisi
7034
1948
Kuwirwe
661.5 1935
Mkuwazi
1608
1927
Kawiya
643.9
Perekezi
14482
1935
Wilindi
937
1948
Central Region
Bunda
426
1948
Kongwe
1948
1926
Chimaliro
15205
1926
Mchinji
20885
1924
Chilobwe
1314
1960
Msitowalengwe
98
1974
Chongon
i
12353
1924
Mua
-
Livulezi
12673
1924
Dedza Mt.
2917
1926
Mua
-
Tsanya
933
1924
Dedza
-
Salima
Escarpment
30965
1974
Mvai
4140
1924
Dowa Hills
3142
1974
Ngala
2272
1958
Dzalanyama
98827
1922
North Senga
1207
1958
Dzenza
779
1948
Ntchisi
8758
1924
Dzonzi
4
494
1924
South Senga
532
1958
Thuma
15767
1956
Southern Region
Amalika
370
1959
Michiru
3004
1970
Chigumula
525
1925
Milare
59
1949
Chiladzulu
774
1924
Mudi
39
1922
Kalulu Hills
2892
1958
Mulanje
-
Michesi
56314
1927
Liwonde
27407
1924
Namizimu
889
66
1924
Malabvi
300
1927
Ndirande
1433
1922
Mangochi
40853
1924
Soche
388
1922
Mangochi Palm
501
1980
Thambani
4680
1927
Masambanjati
93
1974
Thuchila
1843
1925
Masenjere
276
1930
Thyolo Mt
1347
1924
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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Matandwe
31053
1931
Tsamba
Thyolomwani
965
1
930
Zomba
-
Malosa
19018
1913
2.3.1 Forest Plantation Agreements
The Forest Policy and legal framework provides for establishment of plantations by non state
actors as per Section 36 of the Forestry Act which states that:
The Minister may authorize the Director of Forestry to enter into a forest plantation
agreement with any non-governmental organization or community who may wish to plant
trees in forest reserves, public land, customary land and such agreement shall-
a) Provide for the obligation to grow and manage tree species as specified in the
agreement and in accordance with plantations management which shall be
approved by the Director of Forestry
b) Convey the right to harvest the forest plantation in accordance with the terms of
agreement
c) Provide for advice and assistance from the Department of Forestry in growing and
managing the plantations: and
d) Specify obligations of each parties to the agreement
Examples of such agreements are
1. RAIPLY Logging Concession agreement: the company was allocated about 20,000ha
in the Viphya Plantation to log and replant. The company pays US$5 per cubic meter
reflecting RAIPLY’s responsibility for forestry operations. They have a management
plan and they replant, protect and manage areas that have been harvested. The
silvicultural operations from the nursery through to planting weeding, thinning and
pruning have been well done much better than the government controlled areas.
RAIPLY has been attracted by the resource base. Low wood cost, low entry price
and concession offers them wood security. However currently RAIPLY has a low
felling rate and production rate and 20,000ha is on the higher side for them to
manage.
2. STECO and Chitakale Tea Estates Plantation Management Agreements (2008): In
these 15 year agreements, the two companies have each been allocated 200ha to
plant, manage and harvest eucalyptus species for firewood in Amalika Forest
Reserve, Thyolo. The companies only have rights to the trees they have planted.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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2.4. Factors leading to forest cover loss
Malawi’s forest cover has declined due to a number of causes, most of them anthropogenic
and some natural. Deforestation arises from population growth, poverty, infrastructure
development and economic activities, tobacco curing (Chipompha, 1997; Kayinja, 2000). In
this section, we look at some of the major causes of deforestation in Malawi.
2.4.1 High population growth
Malawi has seen a high population growth since 1900. Malawi’s population was 0.93 million
in 1907, 2.05 million in 1945, and 5.5 million in 1977 (Makumbi). . For a very long time there
had been people moving into Malawi from the then Portuguese East Africa, now
Mozambique. This was made worse by the 16 years of gorilla war that ended up with many
refugees coming to Malawi. Some of these found relatives and never went back. The 2008
Population and Housing Census (PHC) indicated that the total population of Malawi was
13.06 million in 2008, an increase of 32% from that of 1998. This increase represents a 2.8%
growth rate during the period. Similarly, the population density grew from 85 people per sq.
km in 1978 to 105 people per sq. km in 1998 and then increased further to 159 people per
sq. km in 2008 (NSO, 2008) (See Fig 4.0). High population increase exerts pressure on
natural resources such as cultivation land and fuel wood.
Figure 4: Population Increase in Malawi (1907 to 2008) in Millions
0.93
1.62 1.68 2.05
5.5
7.9
9.9
13.06
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Population (Million)
1907 1935 1938 1945 1977 1987 1998 2008
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While the country’s three regions are of approximately equal in size, the Northern Region
has a significantly lower population. Population density hence increases from north to south,
with Southern Region having over three times as many people per unit of area as Northern
Region (See Table 3). Tree cover, environmental degradation and wood energy shortages all
have a tendency to increase from north to south, largely as a result of the population density
trend.
Table 3: Population distribution and density (1987, 1998 and 2008)
Region
Land
Area
(Km
2
)
Population Census
Population
Distribution
Population Density
(per Km
2
)
Year
2008
1998
1987
2008
1998
1987
2008
1998
1987
Malawi Total
94276
13066320
9933868
7988507
100
100
100
139
105
85
Northern
26931
1698502
1233560
911787
13.0
12.4
11.4
63
46
34
Central
35592
5491034
4066340
3110986
42.0
40.9
38.9
154
114
87
Southern
31753
5876784
4633968
3965734
45.0
46.6
49.6
185
146
125
Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi (NSO), 2008
2.4.2 Tobacco growing
Tobacco is an important cash crop in Malawi as it contributes 35 % to the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) and 90% of the export earnings. However, tobacco growing has contributed
to deforestation, particularly in the Central Region and some parts of Rumphi and Mzimba in
Northern Region. Agriculture including tobacco growing has been blamed as the main
contributing factor for biodiversity loss. Opening of agriculture requires clearing of forests.
Tobacco growing presses even other demands on forests– timber for barn construction,
poles and twigs for hanging and drying the tobacco; and firewood for tobacco curing
(Mauambeta, July 2010).
Kafumba (1984) reveals that unprecedented expansion of tobacco curing operations,
spurred by favourable world market conditions triggered wood demand, such that in 1980,
40% of wood consumed in Malawi was for tobacco curing. Currently, tobacco curing uses
about 1% of the total biomass energy consumed in Malawi, which is 163,340 m
3
. Current
studies have shown that tobacco curing is the major non-household user of firewood ( GoM,
BEST 2009).
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Figure 5: Non Household
use of firewood in
Malawi (January 2009)
Source: GoM BEST, 2009
Studies conducted by the Agriculture Research and Extension Service Trust (ARET) point
out that flue cured tobacco (FCT) and Dark Western Tobacco (DWT) consume 12m
3
and
20m
3
cubic meters of wood (stacked) per 1000 kg of cured tobacco, respectively. The law
requires that the grower plant 320 tree seedlings every year for eight years for every
hectare of tobacco grown. On the other hand, burley tobacco requires 160 poles for every
hectare of tobacco grown. According
to observations by ARET, most of
the estates have started responding
positively to the call to plant trees on
their land. However, the problem of
non-compliance on having sustainable
wood supplies affects most
smallholder farmers, who have cited
shortage of land as a contributing
factor.
Firewood for curing tobacco, Msunga Estate
©D Mauambeta
34
21
17
12
5
4
8
Tobacco curing
Brick & tile
burning
Rural Cottage
Industries
Ethanol
production
Institutional
catering
Restaurants &
hotels
Other
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With the liberalization of tobacco growing since 1990, the number of smallholder farmer
clubs has grown from 29 in 2000 to 884 in 2009/2010 season for the Flue cured tobacco and
14,873 in 2000 to 38872 in 2009/2010 for burley tobacco; but has declined for Northern
Division Dark Fired tobacco from 2185 in 2000 to 514 in 2009/2010 (Table 4).
Table 4: Number of registered tobacco smallholder clubs 2000 to 2009/10
Year
Burley
Flue cured
NDDF
1
2000
14,873
29
2,185
2001
13,768
140
2,283
2002
21,933
199
2,105
2003
18,288
175
5,030
2004
14,322
375
2,106
2005
19,610
451
548
2006
27,091
505
564
2007
14,988
460
428
2009/2010
38,872
884
514
Sources: Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) 2000-2007(www.tccmw.com); Graham Kunimba, TCC
(2010)
On the other hand, the number of registered estates has declined from 48,688 in 2000 to
10,775 in 2009/10 for burley tobacco; 1100 in the year 2000 to 456 in 2009/2010 for Flue
Cured tobacco and 12,045 in the year 2000 to 489 in 2009/2010 for Northern Division Dark
Fired tobacco (Table 5).
1
Northern Division Dark fired
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2010
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Table 5: Number or registered tobacco estates
Year
Burley
Flue cured
NDDF
2000
48,688
1,100
12,045
2001
45,836
1,094
12,512
2002
44,216
1,830
10,129
2003
31,069
693
6,993
2004
25,381
706
2,948
2005
22,429
537
587
2006
19,500
747
279
2007
10,750
445
119
2009/10
10,775
45
6
489
Sources: Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) 2000-2007(www.tccmw.com); Graham Kunimba, TCC
(2010)
Although most tobacco estates have been observed to comply with the requirement of
having sustainable wood supplies, the Department of Forestry has reported massive
destruction of indigenous forests from government protected forest reserves in Mangochi
District by tobacco estates. The fundamental problem is that while strict laws are applied for
maintaining high standards of tobacco processed leaf, non-compliance of the afforestation
law is regrettably tolerated by the responsible regulatory authorities.
2.4.3 Agricultural expansion
Agriculture expansion is another leading cause of deforestation in Malawi. Rapid population
growth, coupled with heavy reliance on agriculture as the main source of livelihoods by the
majority of population, is the main driver of change. Over the past 18 years, agriculture land
has expanded significantly (Table 5). Government of Malawi-BEST (2009) estimates that from
1991 to 2008, land under intensive agriculture has expanded by 630,000 ha, representing
20% increase, while extensive agriculture
2
has expanded by 2,852,000 ha, representing 7%
2
Extensive agriculture is defined as farming in wooded or grassy areas, with 20% to 70% of the land
cultivated (Government of Malawi-BEST, 2009).
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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increase. The expansion generally occurs on woodland, resulting in the shrinkage of the
forest area.
Table 6: Land use types for Malawi (1991-2008)
Land use category
1991
2008
Change (1991
-
2008)
Area
(‘000
ha)
%
Area (‘000 ha)
%
Area (‘000
ha)
%
Intensive agriculture
3,091
33
3,7
21
40
+630
+20
Extensive agriculture
2,669
29
2,852
30
183
+7
Forest, woodland and
plantation
2,657
28
1,988
21
-
669
-
25
Grasslands
766
8
614
7
-
152
-
20
Miscellaneous
216
2
224
2
+8
+4
Total
9,399
9,399
Source: Government of Malawi-BEST (2009)
Cases of encroachment in form of cultivation into forest reserves are sporadic. For example,
the Department of Forestry reported (February 2010 Progress Report), 500 ha as having
been encroached in the Mchinji Forest Reserve. In the same Mchinji encroachment case, it
was reported that the farmers who had encroached the forest reserve were issued with
farm input coupons by District Agriculture staff without checking the gardens. This case
represents a typical case of conflict of policy strategies. Political interference tends to
encourage people to encroach into forest reserves. For example, the former MP in Mchinji is
quoted as having encouraged constituents encroaching in the forest reserve. In a similar
case, a politician in TA Kunthembwe, Blantyre, had this to say during an agriculture show
which was held on 29
th
June 2010: Mr. District Commissioner, we ask you (the government) to
identify alternative incomes for the people of this area so that they stop burning charcoal. Indeed,
this points to what one commentator said about what most politicians believe, Do as much as
possible, but don’t threaten voters’ comfort or convenience, (Anon).
2.4.4 Biomass Energy and Non-Energy Demands
According to the Government of Malawi- BEST 2009, The household sector is the dominant
energy user and accounts for 83.2% of total energy consumption. This is followed by the
industrial sector (11.9%), with the transport and service sectors accounting for 3.8% and
1.1% respectively.
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2010
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Biomass is Malawi’s main source of energy, mainly in the form of wood. It accounts for an
estimated 88.5% of total demand, ranging from 98% in the household sector through 54% in
the industrial sector and 27% in the service sector to 5% in the transport sector
(Government of Malawi- BEST 2009)
In terms of wood equivalent (w.e.), the total demand for biomass energy in 2008 is
estimated at 8.92 million t. w.e. (air dry) or about 13.5 million m3 solid15. Wood and other
forms of biomass are used for additional (non-energy) purposes such as construction, joinery
and furniture. The additional demand for these applications is about 1.5 million m3 for wood
products alone (Government of Malawi- BEST 2009)
While much of the demand for household energy in rural areas is met by self-collection,
most urban biomass is purchased and practically all biomass for non-household uses is
purchased or plantation-grown for own use. This makes biomass the most important
commercial fuel in the country, in terms of economic value, employment and energy security
(Government of Malawi- BEST 2009).
Table 7: Total national energy demand in Malawi, by sector and fuel
Sector
Energy demand by fuel type (TJ/Yr
)
Biomass
Petroleum
Electricity
Coal
Total
(TJ/Yr)
Total (%0
Household
127574
672
1798
5
130,049
83.2
Industry
10,004
3,130
2010
3481
18,625
11.9
Transport
270
5,640
35
15
5,960
3.8
Service
452
558
477
174
1,661
1.1
Total
138,300
10,000
4,320
3,675
156,295
Total (%)
88.5
6.4
2.8
2.4
Source: Government of Malawi -BEST 2009
2.4.5 Brick burning
A lot of wood is also needed for brick burning. Deforestation is acute around major cities,
bomas and towns in Malawi because of the need to supply burnt bricks to cities. In Lilongwe,
for example, the demand for wood for burning bricks has exerted pressure on mango trees
in communal areas and indigenous trees in graveyards (personal observation, Mauambeta
2010). Brick burning and use of wood from unsustainable sources is common throughout
Malawi, especially at the fridges of cities and towns. The study unveiled brick burning
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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activities at Mutu wambuzi and Banana in Bangwe, Area 10 in Machinjiri, Nanjiri in Lilongwe,
Mpondasi and Koche in Mangochi and many other places.
Brick burning at Mutu wa Mbuzi-Banana in
Bangwe
Photo: Daulos Mauambeta, 2010
Brick burning at Koche, Mangochi;
Photo: D Mauambeta, 2010
2.4.5 Urbanization
While the Malawi population still remains largely rural, with only 17% of Malawians living in
urban areas, the urban population has been increasing rapidly and is projected to reach 22%
by 2015 (BEST 2009). Of the total population in Malawi in 1998, 14 percent lived in urban
areas. However, 11 percent of the total population lived in the four major urban areas and
only 3 percent lived in the other urban areas (bomas and townships). Furthermore, urban
population in Malawi had grown from about 850,000 in 1987 to around 1.4 million in 1998.
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2010
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This represents an annual growth rate of 4.7 percent and an increase of 68 percent during
the 1987-1998 intercensal period (Government of Malawi 1998)
In 2008, there were minimal differences in the intercensal annual growth rate amongst the
four cities. The annual growth rates for Lilongwe City was 4.3%, Mzuzu city, 4%, Zomba
city, 2.9% and Blantyre city, 2.8% (Government of Malawi, 2008).
Given that urban residents are the main consumers of commercially traded fuels, this
progressive urbanization
of the population, in
tandem with the rapid
overall growth rate, have
major implications for the
growth of commercial
wood fuel demand for
cooking, heating, and
burning bricks.
Roadside firewood sales at
Jumbe, Blantyre
D Mauambeta, 2010
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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2.4.6. Inadequate budgetary support from Government
In general, operational budget for forest management activities is inadequate. The
Department has also been getting less money than the approved budget, refer Figure 6.
Figure 6: Recurrent Budgets and Estimated SLM Expenditure of the Department of
Forest (MK)
0
100000000
200000000
300000000
400000000
500000000
600000000
2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009
Approved
Actual
Source: FAO and Terra Africa 2009
Table 8 shows that personal emoluments constitute a greater proportion of funds allocated
to the Department of Forestry with a ratio of 9:1 currently. Salaries represent 83-93% of the
total FD budget which has over 6000 members of staff working at FD headquarters, regional
offices, district offices, research and training, forest reserves, plantations and customary
forest areas.
The largest spending programs are extension services and conservation and development
whilst law enforcement is allocated less. In line with decentralization in Forestry, the district
offices started receiving direct funding for forestry management from 2009 financial year.
Prior to this arrangement, district offices received funds through the regional offices which
were either inadequate or non-disbursed. As a result forestry development efforts are not
significant. Coupled with inadequate law enforcement and other exogenous factors and
drivers the country is in a spiral of forest degradation.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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Table 8 : Recurrent budget and estimated SLM Epxneidture of the Department of
Forestry ('000 MK)
Approved
2005/2006
Actual
2005/2006
Approved
2006/2007
Actuals
2006/2007
Aproved
2007/2008
Preliminary Actuals
2007/2008
Approved
2008/2009
All cost centres together (1)
PE 304848 270661 465608 435320 482702 471849 556022
ORT 25553 28566 89580 89949 58741 36841 64316
Total 330401 299227 555188 525269 541443 508690 620338
Total expenditure of HQ, regions and districts
PE 291289 201448 417131 373 770 414043 413515 542080
ORT 21395 17363 24334 22660 30311 29627 58914
Total 312684 218811 441465 22660 444354 443142 600994
Total SLM expenditure of HQs regions and districts
PE 244485 164379 372740 329430 367994 368012 486395
ORT 5512 5492 8197 7217 10414 9836 34626
Total 249996 169871 380937 336647 378408 377848 521022
SLM expenditure by programmes and sub-programmes
13: Environmental
Protection and
Conservation
08 Enforcement of law and
Policy 38974 26974 10884 10429 10946 10947 14572
10 Extension Services 87820 72499 172176 161911 183423 183814 218537
17 Conservation &
Development of NR 122190 70147 197199 163763 183315 182893 263033
27 Manpower
development and
Institution Strengthening
22 Environmental Forestry
Management 999 251 679 544 724 644 1352
Districts 0 0 0 0 0 0 23527
Total 249983 169871 380938 336647 378408 378298 521021
SLM expenditure by cost
centre
Headquarters 7624 5672 6560 6306 7639 5432 6635
Regional Forestry Office
(South) 134355 72559 218739 168182 206355 206268 280134
Regional Forestry Office
(Centre) 54435 52467 118786 125322 126537 128967 167022
Regional Forestry Office
(North) 53582 39174 36852 36837 37877 37181 43705
Districts 0 0 0 0 0 0 23527
Total 249996 169872 380937 336647 378408 377848 521023
Source: FAO and Terra Africa 2009
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3.0 THE POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK,
STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS
3.1 Policy and legal framework
The Forestry Sector in Malawi is governed by a number of policy and legal instruments.
These are briefly outlined below.
3.1.1 The Malawi Constitution
The Malawi constitution is the supreme law of the land. The government in 1995 adopted a
new Republican Constitution which calls for sustainable management of environment and
natural resources as well as the participation of all people in Malawi in the national
development processes. Since the new constitution was adopted, a number of sector
policies such as forestry, fisheries, wildlife, water, land and others were reviewed. Within the
same period the government approved the Decentralization Policy (1998) which aims at
giving decision making power to the local people.
3.1.2 Vision 2020 and Malawi Growth Development Strategy
In line with international developments, the Government of Malawi also developed other
national policy documents and strategies such as the Vision 2020 and the Malawi Growth
Development Strategy (MGDS) of 2006 and others. The Malawi Growth and Development
Strategy goal on forestry is to reduce environmental degradation with the medium term
expected outcome of ensuring sustainable use and management of forestry resources in
Malawi. It is also expected that an estimated 200,000 hectares of forest-land is expected to
be replanted by year 2011 in-order to reverse negative impacts of deforestation.
In order to achieve these, the MDGS has outlined five strategies:-
• Improving productivity and value added by the industrial forestry sector, while
balancing it with sustainable practices
• Increasing forestation efforts for key are;
• Improving enforcement of regulations for forestry management
• Initiating afforestation and environmental rehabilitation programmes in priority
areas; and
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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• Introducing incentives for private sector participation in forestry.
However, the Strategy does not connect the role of sustainable forest management in
energy supply and in the creation of viable jobs, or the opportunities for private sector
development related to biomass supply.
3.1.3 The Malawi Forestry Policy and Legislation
The Department of Forestry produced a Forestry Policy in 1996 and its related legislation in
1997. These were followed by the Community Based Forestry Management Policy
Supplement of 2001.
While these instruments are comprehensive enough to ensure the sustainable management
of forestry resources in Malawi, they lack enforcement and implementation.
3.1.4 The National Forestry Programme (NFP)
The Malawi Government developed a National Forestry Programme to guide
implementation of the National Forestry in 2000 with an overall goal of achieving sustainable
management of forest goods and services for improved and equitable livelihoods. The NFP
had set twelve priorities for improving forestry and livelihoods in Malawi (Malawi
Government, 2000.
Using the NFP as a guide, a number of forestry projects and programmes were supposed to
be implemented in Malawi. A decade later, Malawi still continues to face critical challenges in
the implementation of the NFP, evidenced by illegal tree cutting in all forest reserves and
plantations; illegal charcoal production and trading across Malawi; and many others. The
forestry resources have become a tragedy of the commons- free for all. A case in point is
the Chongoni Pine Plantation in Dedza which is being cut illegally with grossly low
enforcement by authorities. Again, charcoal production and trade in Malawi has reached
critical proportions, to such an extent that charcoal is being produced along roadsides and
transported in day broad light without any actions from responsible authorities. In general,
the NFP has just become a reference document for preparing other documents rather than
acting as a reference for implementing programmes. For example, an assessment by June
2010 training workshop on NFP held in Salima vividly indicated that the NFP process was
not proactive.
3.1.5 Standards and Guidelines for Participatory Forestry
Following many guidelines, field manuals and extension kits prepared in the past, in 2005 the
Government of Malawi developed Standards and Guidelines for Participatory Forestry in
Malawi. This document sets standards and guidelines for improving forest governance and
rural livelihoods.
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2010
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3.2 Forest and Tree Management in Malawi
The Government of Malawi, through the Department of Forestry, has implemented a
number of large-scale projects to create sustainable supplies of timber and fuel wood.
Examples of such programmes and projects are presented below. According to Kafumba
(1984), the government started creating additional supplies of wood in the 1966/67. Some
of these actions are captured under this section.
3.2.1 Wood Energy Plantations
The global energy crisis that occurred in 1970’s prompted governments, including Malawi to
create wood energy sources. This prompted the Malawi government to launch the Wood
Energy Project in 1980, financed by the World Bank. The objective of the project was to
improve fuel wood and pole supplies to both rural and urban population for domestic and
commercial purposes (Wood Energy Appraisal Report, 1979). The project established 12,
000 ha of fuelwood plantations and 88 tree nurseries throughout the country. The project
had an extension to the second phase, which established 2,800 ha of fuel wood plantation at
Mulanje.
3.2.2 Blantyre City Fuel wood Plantations
Realizing the dwindling forest resources on customary land, the Malawi government, with
funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) implemented
the Blantyre City Fuelwood Project from 1987 to 2001. The objective was to contribute to
fuel requirements of low-income groups living in Blantyre and Zomba. A total of 4,700 ha
were established on customary land in Blantyre, Chikwawa and Zomba Districts. However,
all the plantations were later handed over to 98 village local communities in 2001, as part of
decentralization process and poverty reduction strategy.
Tree planting programmes undertaken by the general public, initiated during the projects,
together with the fuel wood plantations have contributed significantly to alleviating fuel
wood problems for both domestic and commercial uses. Observations indicate that most of
the wood currently being sold in urban areas of Blantyre and Zomba come from these fuel
wood plantations and woodlots established by the general public.
Although the government created large forest plantation resource, most of it has been
degraded due to theft, overexploitation and uncontrolled bush fires. For example, significant
large proportions of BCFP plantations have been destroyed (Figure 1). Limited funding by
the government to manage the fuelwood plantations and sustain extension services for the
BCFP plantations has been the major challenge.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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Photo credit: Reginald Mumba, 2010
Fig. 1 (left): Mpemba Hill in TA Somba, Blantyre and 2 (right): Namisu Hill in TA
Kumnthembwe, Blantyre. All these hills were afforestated under the Blantyre City Fuelwood
Project (1987-2001), but later the plantations were handed over to the local communities.
The plantations have been degraded. Photo credit: Reginald Mumba, 2010
Fig. 2: Illegal charcoal burning in Namisu community plantation
3.2.3 Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods
Programme (IFMSLP)
The programme focuses on improving the management of trees and forest resources,
improving access to income generating opportunities and enhancing rural livelihoods through
sustainable management of forest areas in the country, and the programme is financially
supported by the European Union. The first phase ended in August of 2009 and activities
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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planned for the second phase are expected to resume immediately after the activation of the
Forest Management and Development Fund.
The Improved Forestry Management for Sustainable Programme (IFMSLP) operates in 12 of
Malawi's 27 Districts, namely:- Chikhwawa, Chitipa, Dedza, Karonga, Kasungu, Mchinga,
Mzimba, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Rumphi and Zomba. Table 6 below provides forest area
covered by the programme, which is under co-management.
Figure 7: Improved Forestry for Sustainable Programme (IFMSLP) Sites
District
Forest
Forest type
Area (Ha)
Chik
hwawa
Masenjere Escarpment
Communal
171654
Chitipa
Mughese
Reserve
736
Wilindi
Reserve
907
Matipa
Reserve
1,060
Dedza
Mua
-
Livulezi
Reserve
12,147
Karonga
Vinthukutu
Reserve
2,334
Karonga South
Escarpment
Reserve
10,800
Kasungu
Chawa
Proposed
538
Machinga
Liwonde
Reserve
27407
Mzimba
Mtangatanga
Reserve
9,770
Perekezi
Reserve
15,370
Nsanje
Matandwe
Reserve
26,205
Ntcheu
Dzonzi
-
Mvai
Reserve
8,292
Dzonzi
-
Mvai
Pine plantation
3,164.32
Ntchisi
Ntchisi
Reserve
9,720
Rumphi
Uzumara
Reserve
5
96
Zomba
Zomba
Reserve
5,937
Malosa
Reserve
8,599
Customary Forests
Customary
2,404.8
The IFMSLP has developed interventions that aim at contributing towards increased
household income and food security. The interventions range from tree planting and forest
conservation to the promotion of forest based income-generating activities such as honey,
mushroom and timber production and processing.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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The programme has facilitated development of management plans and co-management
agreements between Government and local communities living around forestry reserves.
During the lifespan of the programme over 8 management agreements were signed between
Government and Village Natural Resource Management Committees through their Block
Committees. The signing of the management agreements for example in Malosa, Zomba and
Liwonde Forestry Reserves improved access to natural resources by communities.
People interviewed indicate that extensive woodlots and woodlands have been planted and
protected and
some wild game
such as duikers,
rabbits, hyenas
could be spotted
in some
woodlands areas
where co-
management if
taking place.
Liwonde Forest
Reserve from
outside; Illegal
activities ongoing
inside;
Photo credit: D
Mauambeta,
2010
However, despite these agreements, encroachment and charcoal production continued
uncontrolled in other forest reserves. Since the project was implemented in selected areas,
people from the non-project areas interpreted the co-management agreements to mean that
government had approved cutting down of trees in forest reserves. Though the blocks under
co-management agreement were not seriously affected by encroachment and charcoal
burning, the surrounding and nearby areas were affected by heavy deforestation and
encroachment for farming like in the case of Malosa and Zomba Forestry Reserve.
STATUS OF FORESTS AND TREE MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI
2010
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3.2.4 Forestry Replanting and Tree Nursery Project (FOREP)
FOREP is a government of Malawi supported project, which aims at rehabilitating the
degraded industrial forest plantations to ensure sustainable supply of timber to both the
wood processing and the construction industries. The project encourages planting and
management of trees in selected industrial timber plantations. During the year under review,
the department with funding from the project planted 901.76 hectares in different industrial
softwood plantations. In addition, the project funds assisted in the management and
protection of the old stands from fire within the plantations.
3.2.5 Tree Planting and Management for Carbon Sequestration
and Other Ecosystems Services
This is another Malawi government supported project in the Department of Forestry, named
the Tree Planting and Management for Carbon Sequestration and Other Ecosystems Services
(TPMCSOES)The project promotes tree planting and management by giving financial support
to farmers. Farmers are financially compensated for the land that they put aside for tree
growing and subsequently paid for trees that survive. So far, a total 319 farmers have
participated in tree management, covering 517.9 hectares since the project inception in
2006/2007 season.
3.2.6 The Income Generating Public Works Programme (IGPWP)
Another programme run by Government of Malawi with funding from the European
Commission is The Income Generating Public Works Programme (IGPWP. The programme was
designed to promote income generating activities as well as productive activities for the rural
and peri-urban poor. One of the objectives to develop productive local forestry and
agriculture activities.The target is to plant 42,500,000 trees and assist in the management of
2,250 ha of existing forest areas. To date 37,500,000 trees have been planted and 1,800ha of
existing forest area has been managed (Rose Bell, Personal Communication, July 2010).
3.2.7 Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests (SMIF)
Project
Community-based forest management is a strategy being adopted by many governments in
developing countries. One objective is to enhance local control of, and benefits from, local
forest resources. The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) has been
implementing a community-based project called “Sustainable Management of Indigenous
Forests" (SMIF) at Kam’mwamba in Neno District (formerly known as Mwanza East).
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The Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests Project (SMIF) was implemented in 1996
with an objective of sustainably managing these forests through tree planting, encouraging
natural regeneration, fire protection and engaging the communities in a number of income-
generating activities (IGAs) such as bee keeping (honey production), fruit juice making and
guinea fowl rearing.
242,021 trees of various species were planted for soil amelioration, firewood, timber and
nutritional (fruits) purposes over the project period. This translates into 96.8 hectares of
forest cover if planted at 2 m x 2 m spacing. Most of the trees were planted by individuals
(181,144 trees). This means that 0.48% of the project area has been brought under forest
cover.
Following an initial inventory conducted in indigenous forests in 1998, a second inventory
was executed to determine the impact of the project interventions on the forest cover.
Results have revealed that the overall indigenous forest cover has increased by over 30% in
stocking from 1998 to 2006 with the individual forest areas (IFAs) under strong leaderships
gaining 68.50% in forest cover. The village forest areas (VFAs) forest cover increased by over
48%. The individual forest areas under
weak leaderships attained the lowest
forest cover increase (24%) over the
same period.
Most of the IFAs fall under weak
leadership and are largely degraded
due to charcoal burning.
Remaining forests in Kam’mwamba set on
fire
Photo: Daulos Mauambeta, 2010
3.2.9 Bwanje Rural Environmental and Development
Organization (BERDO
)
BERDO is based in Ntheu District in the Bwanje Valley. BERDO is implementing livelihood
security and watershed management projects amongst many other projects focusing on
income generating activities. The two main goals of these projects are:
A. Improved sustainable livelihoods in Bwanje area particularly of female headed and
HIV and AIDS affected households
B. Participatory watershed management in the Bwanje valley
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Between 2009 and June 2009, a number of trees were planted and managed by communities
in this area.
Trees planted in the
Bwanje Valley
Photo: Daulos Mauambeta,
2010
Sendwe Community Forest, D.
Mauambeta 2010
3.2.10 Sendwe Village
Forest Area, T.A
Khongoni, Lilongwe
Sendwe Village Forest Area is
situated to the North-West of
Lilongwe City. Between 1980
and 1997, all trees in the VFA
were wantonly cut by the
communities around the VFA.
This resulted into a bare hill of
Sendwe. In 1998, traditional
leaders and extension workers from Forestry Department and wider communities from six
villages held the first six hour meeting for Sendwe conservation. They developed and agreed
on a set of objectives and by-laws. There were two main objectives: promoting and
protecting regeneration of natural trees to increase forest products; and encourage
sustainable utilization of the forest products. In 1999, the community tilled the whole bare
hill, planted 4000 seedlings of Senna siamea which did not survive because they were
suppressed by regenerated natural trees. In 2000, they decided to encourage regeneration of
trees from tree stumps and roots. They also promoted the growing and planting of
agroforestry trees and exotic trees as woodlots, homesteads and boundary planting. In that
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year, Sendwe community had worn MK30, 000.00 for properly managing the largest VFA in
Malawi measuring 73ha using natural regeneration.
3.2.11 Rivirivi River Catchment Management Project
In Balaka District, local communities along the Rivirivi River decided to address poverty-
environment issues at local and ecosystem level in 2006 with support from WESM Balaka
Branch. Rivirivi River flows down into River Shire from the Dzonzi –Mvai forest. Although
the river was once perennial, it had become reduced to a few pools in the dry season. This
was affecting local livelihoods, dependent on the river for watering livestock, washing and
fishing. WESM Balaka Branch and communities identified the clearance of forest vegetation
from the river banks as a key factor affecting river flow, and so began a project, funded by
the Malawi Environmental Endowment Trust (MEET), to try to reverse the situation.
The project covers about 40 km of river and 25 villages, and is focused mainly on
environmental management – reforestation, agroforestry, water-harvesting, and the use of
vetiver grass to control erosion. To implement the project WESM works very closely with
government extension services from the departments of agriculture and forestry. Not only
does this allow the project to benefit from the capacity of these agents in the area (about 2
extension agents) but it also helps with skills transfer, and ensures some continuity and
sustainability beyond the end of project funding.
3.2.12 Chingoli Village Forest Area (Bisa Hill), T.A. Nkula,
Machinga
This was initiated by Greenline Movement in the mid-1990s. The hill was completely bare
and as GLM started sensitizing the village heads in 1994.the meetings were held just below
the hill where the house of the Group Village Headman Nkula was. Because of the interest
the GVH had, he made a request to his people not to cut down any trees in the hill.
Fortunately, they complied and little by little the hill began regenerating naturally. GLM
involved the surrounding community in agroforestry and soil conservation activities. Latter
on they were trained in bee keeping and honey processing and as of now there are more
than 20 bee hives with 15 of them colonized. The group has already started benefiting from
sale of honey and members are able to buy fertilizer from these sales. In additional to this
soils where mushrooms grow were transferred from the Machinga Forest Reserve to the hill
resulting in people harvesting mushrooms from a hill that was unproductive.
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3.2.13 Howe Village Forest Area, T.A. Mlumbe, Zomba
This came into being because of the in born interest of Village Headman Howe. This legacy
has passed on to all other followers of the chieftainship. Trees are only felled if they are
meant to benefit the entire village.
Same hill, different
results:- The bare side
of the hill, under weak
traditional leadership;
the tree covered side
under strong
leadership; Ntcheu.
D Mauambeta, 2010
3.2.14 Graveyards
Grave yards, Manda, are now the only forest islands that one can see in the Malawi
landscape in addition to doted fruit trees and small private woodlots and trees around
homesteads and in gardens. Manda are now the only true representative of Malawi native or
indigenous trees because most of inhabited areas have been planted with exotic species
dominated by eucalyptus trees. Manda are also areas having some high biodiversity levels in
Malawi after protected areas.
Graveyards have stood the test of time because of the traditional values and beliefs
associated with such areas.
Malawians believe that ancestor
spirits live there.
Amongst the Chewa people,
this is also where the, Dambwe,
the home of the Nyau Cult
(Ngule Wa Mkulu) is based.
Therefore, clearing grave yards
is tantamount to uncovering
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shelter for the ancestor spirits; and unmasking the Nyau cult.
Manda in the middle of the photo; near Madziabango, Blantyre. Photo: D. Mauambeta 2010
These acts are heavily punished by traditional leaders who are custodians of these norms. It
is important to encourage the conservation of Manda. However, Manda have recently
become victims of deforestation as greedy traditional leaders have started to sell trees for
firewood for brick burning especially in areas adjacent to cities and towns like in Chiladzulu
and Lilongwe Districts.
Banje Village
Graveyard cleared of
all trees, remains are
just bushes; Banje
Village, T/A Tsabango,
Lilongwe
D. Mauambeta, 2010
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4.0 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES
Despite the many forest projects and programmes the Malawi Government and its partners
have put in place to address issues of deforestation and environmental degradation in
Malawi, there are still critical challenges
4.1 Land tenure and ownership of trees and forests
Almost all the land that is under customary law is under open access property regime within
a particular village jurisdiction, and to some extent, transcending to other villages depending
on the strength of the village authority. That is to say, residents of a certain village can access
the forest goods within their village without any limit of quantity, and the same may apply to
another village under the influence of rent-seeking (by palm-oiling village authorities or
socio-cultural connections). Farming land is generally under some form of control by the
nominal owners, but the adjacent woodland area tends to be subjected to open access
regime. Attempts to exercise rational control over the woodlands by village authorities has
sometimes weakened intra and inter-village social capital; accusing such authorities of
following strange customs, for there is general belief that land outside the farm land belongs
to everybody. This scenario is common in sparsely populated areas, unfortunately, that is
where there is potential for restoring the regenerating forest resources. Unless there is a
strong drive to sensitize village
authorities practice village
common property resource
regimes, by reviving Village
Forest Areas (VFAs), forest
degradation will continue
unabated.
Ndirande Bare Land Reserve & trees on individual plots
in Area 9, South Lunzu, Blantyre; Photo: Daulos
Mauambeta, 2010
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4.2. Policy and Implementation Failure
Just as the forest goods and services have transcendent impacts on the economy and general
livelihoods of local communities, implementation of the national forest policy needs active
participation of a wider sector. While sector-wide approach in implementing programmes
has been launched in the health and agriculture sectors, forestry sector appears to be
grappling with the challenges of forest degradation with limited support from other sectors.
Hence, under policy instruments, the following issues need serious attention.
4.2.1 Influence of politics (single to multiparty to democracy)
While lobbying politicians to spearhead implementation of strategies to reduce deforestation
is appealing, it has become an elusive strategy. It appears politicians become active in forestry
issues when it involves tree planting, but even then, their participation is short-lived and the
drive to participate is not internalized, but comes from elsewhere. Issues of control of
indigenous forests on customary land and protection of protected areas are thorny. The
other challenge of involving politicians on forest issues is that while politicians tend to focus
on short-term benefits, the forest resources and their associated goods and services have
long-term benefit streams. This problem is aggravated by failure by most development agents
to engage the constituents at the grassroots level in advocating for improved forest
condition.
4.2.2 Laisser-faire approach to forest management
A number of questions can be raised under this issue. Who displays the laissez-faire
approach? Is it the Department of Forestry (DoF)? The general public? The political
leadership? One would point fingers at the Department of Forestry. But the management of
forest resources is a shared responsibility for the reason that the benefits (costs) of
managing forest goods and services transcend different sectors at both local and national
economy. The laisser-faire approach could be creeping in the Department of Forestry
because of frustrations of low funding (as it has been highlighted above), which could in turn,
be due to lack of appreciation of the role the forest sector plays on the part of policy
makers. However, the above statements should be in no way exonerating the DoF from
exercising its legal mandate as the lead institution in ensuring that forest conservation and
management are done. Similarly, stakeholders in the forest sector should help keep the fire
of activism, with relevant actions on the ground, burning.
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4.2.3 Professional concubinage
There is no doubt that all those who have gone through secondary school education (even
primary school education) have learnt the importance of tree planting and forest
conservation, and that the use of unsustainable resources that contribute to environmental
(forest) degradation have serious negative consequences in the realm of sustainable
development.. However, the general observation is that what has been learnt at school is
serving the satisfaction of just passing exams and obtaining a certificate (basi). Observations
and studies (Mauambeta etal July 2010) have revealed that most of the estates owned by
Malawians, particularly in the tobacco industry, do not observe the regulation that 10% of
the land should be under active forest management. In addition, even most of the people
who have gone to formal education have not demonstrated at respective villages by either
planting trees or conserving forests. Unless, we put into practice the environmental
knowledge we have acquired, and avoid practices that result into forest degradation, we are
likely to succumb to professional concubinage.
4.2.4 Corruption
Corrupt practices amongst some staff working in the Department of Forestry are
contributing to illegal off take of timber in plantations and forest reserves. Corruption is
going on to facilitate illegal timber, allocation of logging plots, production and trafficking of
charcoal and similar activities in public forests. The recent case of five officials from the
Department of Forestry at Chikwangawa who were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau
(ACB) in August 2010 (The Nation, 25
th
August 2010) is just a tip of an iceberg. The ACB
needs to extend and intensify investigations in areas such as Chikangawa, Mulanje, Zomba-
Malosa, Machinga, Dedza, Phirilongwe, Dzalanyama and similar forest reserves and plantation
to flush out corrupt officials.
4.2.5 Poor Governance at local level
There are different perspectives of governance within the realm of forest sector. But this
analysis will focus on power relations among local institutions that have a bearing on control
of access to forest resource benefits. The control over forest resources by traditional
leaders has generally been weakened due to socio-political changes. This has resulted in the
emergence of so called democratic institutions such as the Village Natural Resources
Management Committees (VNRMCs) whose legitimacy, when it comes to collective effort to
manage forest resources, is generally contentious. The democratic values in the socio-
cultural fabric life of the rural Malawian have not yet been internalized. Benefit sharing has
become a contentious issue under democratic institutions just as under traditional
leadership. Cases of elite capture have been reported sporadically in benefit sharing
mechanisms affecting forest resources, resulting in frustrations for the less privileged
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individuals who have vented their frustrations by over-harvesting the forest (Zulu, 2008,).
Lack of systematic monitoring mechanisms by District Councils has exacerbated the
situation.
4.2.6 In-efficient administration, weak leadership and poor
governance
The study has identified in-efficient administration, weak leadership and inadequate capacity
to manage the available human resources in the Department of Forestry. For example, the
Forest Management Board which is supposed to guide Department of Forestry has met less
than three times since the Forestry Policy was enacted in 1996.
4.2.7 Funding and its prioritization
Despite establishment of the Forest Management Fund in the Forest Legislation in 1997, it
has never been made operational, and this has severely affected financing of forest
operations, as normal government allocations to the DoF have consistently remained far
below the optimal levels for a long time. Although financing forest operations can have
multiple sources, with multiple stakeholders, the DoF remains at the driving seat of the
process in the forest sector, hence it to have adequate funding.
While the DoF earns some sympathy for low funding, the issues of prioritization for the
funds allocated to it need to be considered. Observations indicate that most of the Other
Recurrent Transactions (ORTs) funds allocated end up being used for leaves grants as DoF
has a large unskilled labour force. Worse still, most of the operations in forest plantations
are not contracted out, and this results in having a squeeze in the allocation of funds for
extension services, which are vital considering that most of the forest resources exist on
customary land where extension services are badly needed.
Budget tracking measures have not been undertaken by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
to monitor efficiency and effectiveness of fund utilization, just as it has been the case in other
sectors such as education and agriculture.
4.3 Globalization and Structural Adjustment Programmes
(SAPS)
Introduction of SAPs in most developing economies, Malawi, inclusive, resulted in reduction
of funding in the public sector, affecting a number of programmes such as forest protection,
forest plantation management, and extension services being shelved.
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On the other hand, other outcomes of globalization in form of conventions such as CBD,
Kyoto protocol, FAO NFP Facility and many others provide opportunities to solicit funds to
finance programmes under the forest sector,
In Malawi, the impending ban on growing burley tobacco may have far reaching negative
impacts on forest conservation. It is given that most people who will be out of tobacco
business will start trading in forest goods as a safety net before settling for other alternative
livelihood strategies. In the process, this will escalate deforestation.
4.4 Forest data collection, analysis and dissemination
Unlike demographic data and information which are collected every ten years, forest cover
data is collected irregularly and after a long period of time, well behind the rate of change of
population characteristics. For example, the latest comprehensive forest cover data was
collected in 1991. While it is appreciated that national forest cover data collection and
analysis are costly, it should be noted that ignorance on the part of forest cover data could
be more costly because costs associated with environmental degradation are generally high
and slow to reverse.
Poor presentation strategies of the collected data/information to the target stakeholders has
resulted in poor understanding of the environmental change drivers among stakeholders,
resulting in most stakeholders to choose to have a laisey faire attitude towards
deforestation.
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5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Effective Policy Implementation
While the forestry policy and legislation framework is comprehensive enough in Malawi, it
needs to be effectively implemented. The current state of affairs cannot be tolerated to
continue unchecked.
5.2 Recovering land forest cover
Malawi continues to loss its forest cover. However, there is an opportunity for Malawi’s
forest cover to positively change if tree planting and management is done by all Malawians,
especially on customary land. Government needs to encourage all Malawians to plant and
conserve trees in any open spaces such as around homes and villages, agro-forestry trees in
and around gardens, encourage natural regeneration on bare hills; and stop the tendency of
cutting trees anyhow.
5.3 Survival rates of planted trees
Every year, Malawi is said to be planting trees. A lot of financial resources are being used for
launching the national forestry season, followed by regional and district launching functions.
These ceremonial functions use a lot of financial resources compared to the output (the
actual trees planted). Furthermore, very few of the trees that are said to have been planted
survive. There is need for Government and its partners to put in place a tree planting and
management strategy which will monitor the planted trees until they are fully grown.
5.4 Alternative energy sources
It is a fact that majority of Malawians will continue to use biomass energy (firewood and
charcoal) for several years to come. Both firewood and charcoal are forms of renewable
energy because trees can regenerate. It is also a reality that Government will not manage to
stop charcoal production and trade in the short term because of the politics and economics
around this business. Above all, many people in Malawi will not be connected to the
electricity grid due to incompetencies and inefficiencies in the way ESCOM is working, and
also due to high prices of electrical appliances.
5.4.1 Therefore, there is need for Government to encourage tree planting on commercial
basis to supply firewood to those that will still continue to depend on firewood.
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5.4.2 There is also a need for Government to start implementing its policy and legislation
on charcoal production to ensure that only those that qualify can produce and trade
in charcoal business (i.e. those that have a sustainable forest with a management plan
and a license from the Department of Forestry);
5.4.3 Having put a mechanism on charcoal production and trade, the Department of
Forestry and its partners will have to train charcoal makers to produce charcoal
more efficiently. Current methods of making charcoal are rudiment and waste a lot
of trees.
5.4.4 Government also needs to encourage other forms of renewable energies such as
mini-hydro power stations, solar energy through the establishment of solar powered
villages especially where there is potential solar power and wind power.
5.4.5 Government needs to encourage ESCOM to totally phase out postpaid meters and
scale up prepaid meters so as to facilitate revenue collection to improve
performance, increase new connections and reduce electricity demand in Malawi.
5.5 Forest on tobacco estates
Current studies show that there are many tobacco growing estates and smallholder farmers
that do not have forests and trees on their farms. Tobacco growing as a business needs to
have enough tree resources for constructing tobacco barns and for curing the tobacco, and
for hanging the tobacco on ndawala and mikangala/ makako.
5.5.1 Government must enforce each Estate must have at-least 10% of its total land size
put under forest plantation to comply with the current Land Policy set by
Government. The size of each forest plantation will depend on the scale of tobacco
production specific to each estate. Such forest plantation will be a source of wood
for tobacco curing to reduce the dependency of wood from outside sources. The
following tree species could be considered instead of Eucalyptus: Albezia lebbeck
(Mtangatanga), Gliricidia sepium (Gilisidiya), Acacia polycantha (Mthethe), Melia
azederach (india), Senna species (Kesha). Such plantation must initially be planted
densely (1m by 1m) to speed up growth; and after two or three years space the
trees to two by two meters so that trees can start increasing in diameter growth.
5.5.2 Each Smallholder farmer should establish a small woodlot (20m by 20m) either sown
or planted densely with Leucaena lecocephala (Lukina), Sesbania sesban (Jerejere),
bamboos, Senna siamea, Eucalyptus (if away from water bodies and arable land), and
similar species. This small woodlot shall supply twigs (ndawala, makako & mikangala)
for hanging the tobacco.
5.5.3 To ensure that this is enforced, the Tobacco Control Commission will have to
certify each tobacco grower of availability of forests and trees on their farms before
engaging into tobacco growing business.
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5.6
Regulate the use of burnt red bricks
Malawi is currently the only country in this part of the world that is still using red
bricks for construction. The rest of the other countries are using cement bricks and
blocks. There is high demand and competition between wood for domestic use and
that for brick burning.
5.6.1 In the short term, Government needs to put in place control mechanisms to ensure
that those that produce and burn and sell red bricks have sources of firewood.
Currently, most of the wood for brick burning is coming from fruit trees (mangoes)
and trees from grave yards, and illegal cutting from public forest reserves.
5.6.2 Government also needs to make it mandatory for the construction industry to use
cement bricks / blocks. This move will entail, among other issues, deliberate attempt
by Government to reduce the price of cement products to ensure people can afford
cement for making cement bricks / blocks.
5.7
Promotion of Individual Ownership of tree planting
and management
It is a reality in Malawi that tree planting and management is more effective at individual
household level than at communal level because of costs and benefits associated with
tree management. As a result, trees in most communal areas in Malawi have been cut
down, while trees around individual households, farms and gardens remain intact. This
is more evident in both urban areas (townships) and villages across Malawi. Agro
forestry has been observed to be an effective entry point for individual tree planting
considering that population density is high. Hence, there should be a strong drive to
mainstream agro forestry in the farming system.
5.8
Reduce Population Increase
As a long term measure, Government needs to enforce its current policy of reducing
the number of children from an average of 6 children per woman to 4 children per
woman.
5.9 Promote conservation of graveyards, Manda
There is need to engage traditional leaders to continue promoting the conservation of
trees in Mandas.
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This is not art work; it is
environmental degradation in
Kasinje, Ntcheu along the
Lakeshore Road. The bridge near
this site is also collapsing.
Photo: D. Mauambeta, 19
th
August 2004
Photo: D. Mauambeta, 5th
August 2010
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6.0 Advocacy Issues for CURE and Its Partners
CURE and its Partners may consider the following advocacy issues on its agenda:-
• Promotion of renewable energy and alternative sources of energy
• Lobby ESCOM to phase out post-paid meters and scale up prepaid meters so as to
facilitate revenue collection to improve performance, increase new connections and
reduce electricity demand;
• Lobby the Tobacco Control Commission to issue certificates and register farmers
who can show that they have more than 10% of their total land dedicated to forests
and trees.
• Lobby Government to phase out use of red bricks in the construction industry, and
promote the use of cement bricks / blocks. To achieve this, Government, through
Ministry of Finance, needs to remove taxes on cement products so that people can
afford cement for the production of the cement bricks and blocks.
• Implementation of policy and legislation: Government must enforce and implement
its policy and legislation on forestry in Malawi. Currently, these instruments are
white elephants.
• The National Forestry Programme (NFP) Coordination Unit need to be put in place
and activated
• There is need to track the utilization of the Forest Management Fund once it is
made operational
• Data collection on forest cover should be done every ten years to keep pace with
demographic calendar. The current forest cover maps should be put on calendars to
sensitize the general public on the precarious situation Malawi is and take action.
• Lobby TAs to encourage establishment of VFAs
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7.0 REFERENCES
Chanyenga, Tembo; Vincent Chithila and Kennedy Ndhlazi (2006)
The Impact of “The
Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests” SMIF Project Interventions on Forest Cover
in Neno East; Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi
Government of Malawi (1996) Malawi’s Forestry Policy; Ministry of Mines, Natural resources
and Environment; Department of Forestry
Government of Malawi (1997) Malawi Forestry Act, Ministry of Mines, Natural resources and
Environment; Department of Forestry
Government of Malawi (2000) Malawi’s National Forestry Programme; Ministry of Mines,
Natural resources and Environment; Department of Forestry
Government of Malawi (2000) The Constitution of the republic of Malawi
Government of Malawi (2006) Malawi Growth and Development Strategy; From Poverty to
Prosperity 2006-2011.
Government of Malawi (2005) Standards and Guidelines for Participatory Forestry in Malawi;
Ministry of Mines, Natural resources and Environment; Department of Forestry
Government of Malawi –BEST (2009) Malawi Biomass Energy Strategy
Government of Malawi, National Action Program for Malawi for United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification
Kainja, Sam (December 2000); Forestry Outlook for Malawi: In Million Bekele (2001) Forestry
Outlook Studies in Africa (FOSA).
Mauambeta, Daulos, Samuel Kamoto, Austin Singini and Timeo Janyinji (July 2010) Report of
Biodiversity survey conducted on Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company contracted Growers’ Estates and
Smallholder Clubs; Consultancy report for Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited.
Mauambeta, Daulos and Robert Kafakoma (August 2010) CBNRM Stocktaking Report, in press;
Report for the Malawi CBNRM Forum and Development Alternatives Inco.
Yaro, Gil et al; (May 2010) Malawi Poverty and Environment Initiative, an Economic Study,
Government of Malawi and UNEP
World Bank (2009) Environmental Crisis or Sustainable development Opportunity; transforming
the charcoal sector in Tanzania, A policy Note
Zulu, L. (2008) Community Forest Management in Southern Malawi: Solution or Part of the
problem. Society and Natural Resources 21: 687-703
