Author: Charles Gondwe

While tree planting and forest conservation has been at the centre of the Forestry Department of Malawi since 1976, deforestation seem to have gained more ground within the same period. These noble efforts have been frustrated by the increased bare grounds in the country side, especially on the periphery of the growing towns and cities. Tree planting has been the main driver to rehabilitate the destroyed forest resource in the country. Tree planting and forest conservation efforts have been focused at the village level where communities are at the centre…

“My forest, my life” echoes as the theme for the National Forestry Season for 2013/14 in a Malawi, a country reputed to have the highest deforestation rate and land degradation on the African continent. Illegal charcoal production, wanton cutting down of trees and encroachment in protected forests have destroyed the picture of the once lush miombo forests of the country. Amid all the increased forest destruction that goes on, almost unabated, the government still recognizes the important contribution of forests to the national economy. According to the Economic Valuation of…