Muluzi appeal for Dzalanyama Forest Reserve’s conservation

Malawi Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Atupele Muluzi on Friday launched an appeal against deforestation and forest degradation in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.

He said in Lilongwe that government is making an appeal to stakeholders and interested organisations to support the initiative to stop the alarming deforestation and forest degradation taking place in Dzalanyama which is an important area.

“All stakeholders need to recognise that one of the most important forests in the country is under an emergency situation in as far as deforestation or forest degradation is concerned. Decisive action is immediately required in order to reverse the current serious situation,” said Muluzi.dzalanyama

He added that Dzalanyama is one of the most valuable forests in terms of the sustainability of our country when it comes to water supply, food security and economic growth.

The reserve is the source for Lilongwe River which supplies water to the capital city through Kamuzu Dam 1 and 2 and the catchment also forms some part of the largest agricultural production areas for maize production, annual yield in the three districts of Lilongwe, Dedza and Mchinji which accounts for approximately 30nper cent of the national total yield, he explained.

He bemoaned that the reserve is being seriously deforested due to the illegal charcoal production and firewood collection.

According to him, about 70 per cent of charcoal consumed in the three districts for domestic use is being produced in the reserve.

Consequently, Dzalanyama Forest has suffered massive forest loss in the recent past. The amount of annual biomass loss is equivalent to almost 10 per cent of the total stock.

“This implies that the forest will be completely exhausted in the next 10 years if nothing is done to reverse the situation,” he observed.

Muluzi therefore called upon all stakeholders such as the private sector, communities surrounding the reserve and residents of the capital city who benefit from Dzalanyama in one way or another to provide unreserved support towards addressing deforestation and forest degradation in the reserve.

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Moyenda
Moyenda
9 years ago

People cut trees primarily for energy, for fuel wood. Secondarily, they cut down trees for energy to cure bricks for construction. All these are also linked to jobs and income (livelihoods). Hon Minister, consider the following free advice: 1. Make electricity and industrial gas accessible and affordable. Does the community around Dzalanyama have alternative sources of energy for cooking nsima, beans, pumpkins, potatoes? 2. Ban baked bricks. Introduce hydra foam blocks or cement blocks. Remove duty on industrial equipment. Local artisans like fabricators can use scrap metal to make moulds for cement blocks. 3. Diverisfy sources of income and create… Read more »

Dr. Mango
Dr. Mango
9 years ago

Law enforcement first by engaging services of MDF, National Parks and Police Mobile Force regularly. However, these forces should accept reasonably reduced rates of allowances when conducting patrols. Secondly, Escom would find it extremely difficult to reduce tarriffs in the short period of time because they spend dearly when removing silt from Shire River as a result of deforestation. This then calls for stepping up afforestation and natural regeneration efforts in forest reserves and on customary land areas. Additionally, all planted trees should be jealously protected to maturity ages. This is every individual’s duty. LET US LOVE OUR COUNTRY, IT… Read more »

Limbika GP
Limbika GP
9 years ago

Malawi is a funny country to live in, Mr Muluzi you know as well as i do that all politicians in Malawi only care about their pockets and no one is ready even to enforce the law. Why do you bother to sit in parliament and make laws that you politicians are not even ready to abide by / honour let alone to enforce. People are encroaching hills and mountains and no one cares for the future of those living in the low lying areas should we have heavy rains one day. It means no protection for houses below as… Read more »

Mphatso mbewe
Mphatso mbewe
9 years ago

These pipo a stupid they a jst wasting government resources,chikangawa forest is going down in a fast speed,wy my mother malawi with fedaral system all those that a greedy adzaonekera ng’amba.

Wamandasi
Wamandasi
9 years ago

Che Atupele don’t appeal enforce natural conservation. Go around and ask communities how their environment looked like before Bakili became president ( 20 years ago). Look at Soche, Ndirande, Nyambadwe, Mpingwe, Michiru hills. Chiefs are selling land any how for habitation right on top of mountains. stop it now. Most rivers and streams have dried out. make it a law no one cultivates and build 20m from rivers and streams. Ask fake donors to finance such projects. Soon poverty will mean lack of water and we will be buying supply water from Europe. Take a costly risk to preserve catchment… Read more »

Chemjambe
Chemjambe
9 years ago
Reply to  Wamandasi

This is not the time to start pointing fingers, as Malawians lets start to find and put in place all necessary measures to conserve our environment. Tiyeni tiziyiwala zinthu zina and move forward.

Quota system
Quota system
9 years ago

Good initiative. We really need to preserve our environment so that among other things, there is no degradation, availability of water and other natural resources and tourism sector growth. similar initiatives should be there nation wide including the districts practising shifting cultivation and other out dated methods of agriculture. Thanks Honourable Muluzi.

eye eye
eye eye
9 years ago

THE Q IS: WHY IS GOVT FAILING TO CONTROL THE RAMPANT DEFORESTATION? thats the starting point, find out what has gone wrong to reach this state of affairs…..

Arthur G.M. Mtambo
9 years ago

ILLEGAL CHARCOAL PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS OF CHARCOAL ASK UDF, DPP, PP AND DPP MINISTERS REGARDING THEIR TRUCKS CARRING CHARCOAL FOR BUSINESS THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISTROYED THE COUNTRY.

Madalitso
Madalitso
9 years ago

On the part of government its important to give enabling environment for self’-employment enterprise and reduce escom tariffs for domestic use.

Hehede
Hehede
9 years ago

Mbuzi za anthu inu, what will pipo use for energy? We. told u to speed up rural electrification programme but u r. doing nothing. Seconndly, electricity tarrifs are very high. As a result, peple are have th buy nkhuni andd makala.Also do something about Chikangawa forest. Trees are finishing as well. Burundians, Somalis and Kenyans are timber in huge trucks every day. Boma yilii phwii. You can’t do that in many countries. With federal govt coming northerners will stop pipo depleting trees. When is concession of Raily ending?

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