Dzalanyama hydrological system

The Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is the single most important water catchment in the central region of Malawi
This critical ecosystem helps secure the provision of water supply to the rural and urban areas of Lilongwe city for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses and supports to the livelihoods of thousands of people living along the rivers and streams that drains from Dzalanyama Range.
The area is drained by three major river systems which flow north-eastwards from the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve to Lake Malawi. The Lilongwe River with its tributaries, Likuni, Katete and Chaulongwe, drains the western, central and north- eastern parts of the area; the Namitete River, drains the north- western part and Diamphwi River with its major tributary, the Lifidzi drains the south- eastern segment.
Small dambo lie at the source of each tributary stream and rarely dry up as all but smallest streams in Dzalanyama continue to flow throughout the year.
The area is therefore humid and cool even during the drier months of the year. Dzalanyama and the surrounding areas receive early rains as a result of these humid conditions. Trees emit water vapour into the air and this encourages early and regular rains.

Mkantha stream

Kamuzu Dam 1&2

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Deployment of the Malawi Defence Force soldiers into Dzalanyama

The Government of Malawi introduced Malawi Defence Force intervention programme to deal with illegal logging for charcoal and firewood in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. The objectives of the joint operations with the Department of Forestry include the following:- To conduct patrols in the forest reserve particularly the most affected areas To confiscate all the illegal forest products obtained without permit. To impound vehicles, oxcarts, and bicycles used in trafficking illegal forest produce. To confiscate all equipment and tools used in tree felling To destroy by burning all charcoal kilns and erected structures in the reserve. To mount ad hoc spot checks and road blocks in some routes leading to the reserve. To apprehend and hand over to police all suspected offenders for prosecution. The operations have been conducted 24/7 both inside and outside of the reserve(Central Forestry Zone Office Outlook Report 2015). And since the Malawi Defence Force deployment on 7th February ...

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The Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

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