Impact of agricultural activities on Dzalanyama

The generally fertile soils of Lilongwe Plain which covers Dedza, Lilongwe and Mchinji districts are intensively cultivated and the area is densely populated for an essentially agricultural community (population density ranging from 260 to 503- Atlas for schools 2012). People in this area rely on rain fed and irrigation agriculture and this widespread industry would be impossible without water regulated by Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.
Maize is grown as the main food crop while tobacco and groundnuts are grown as cash crops in most parts of the area. The natural vegetation has therefore been extensively modified throughout the area due to heavy agricultural activities. Trees are commonly cut for tobacco curing, poles/stakes for construction of tobacco sheds and for drying, firewood for brick burning, household energy and expansion of agricultural fields.
The most preffered firewood and poles are those from native trees due to their high calorific value and strength to hold heavy roofs. Due to low levels of law enforcement in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, most of the wood is obtained illegally by the surrounding communities via numerous footpaths leading into the reserve. Illegal tree cutting by farmers is the most devastating one because they target both old and the regenerants. This means that agricultural expansion in the region has contributed to the deforestation of Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.

Tobacco field

Tobacco drying, a stage at which poles and stakes are highly demanded

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Welcome to Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

Hello, my name is Daniel Tomlin Kabichi and I am the Assistant Plantation Manager residing in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. On this blog I will show all the treasures hidden inside the forest. I will take you on regular walks through the reserve and together we will not only learn more about the plants growing here, but you will also meet some of the amazing animals living inside the forest. I hope that by showing you all these creatures we all better understand why it is so important to continue to protect Dzalanyama Forest as good as we can. Scadoxus multiflorus

Current status of Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

Major obstacles to tree survival in Malawi include indiscriminate forest resource extraction which is largely attributed to heavy woodfuel utilisation for firewood and charcoal production, timber requirement, agricultural industry, infrastructure development and uncontrolled bush fires. Wood and charcoal are the most preferred cooking and heating fuels in Malawi even in the poorer parts of the cities and the demand is huge. It is estimated that charcoal consumption is twice what the nation's woodland can sustain without further deforestation. Indeed loggers illegally clear 250,000 ha of forest each year to meet the demand for charcoal and firewood, a deforestation rate of 2.8%(Forest policy 2016) resulting in further reduction of forest per capita which is already below desired minimum. However expected increase in population and residential construction indicates that wood market may continue to grow. Most of the hills have been shaved of their leafy canopies of trees, leaving

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

The Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

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