The Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve has an extremely wide representation of plant and animal species and ecosystems. The biodiversity in this ecosystem represents three categories as follows; Genetic diversity which is the variation of genes within species covering distinct population of the same species or genetic variation within a population,Species diversity which is the variety of living organisms on Earth and Ecosystem diversity which is the variability of habitats and biotic communities. Tne biodiversity conservation has not only preserved national plants and animals of heritage but also created wealth among the surrounding communities through Forest Based Enterprises. Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is contributing generously to the food supply to both rural and urban areas of Dedza, Lilongwe and Mchinji districts that share the Reserve. Being a miombo woodland Dzalanyama Forest Reserve serves as a food reservoir of edible fungi (mushrooms), fruits(Uapaca kirkiana- masuku), roots(Habenaria w...

The Malawi National Forest Policy goal(2016) is to improve provision of forest goods and services to contribute towards sustainable development of the nation through protection and conservation of forest redources. The policy aspires to control deforestation and forest degradation and promote strategies that will contribute to increase forest cover in order for the sector to significantly contribute to the national economic development. The policy has ten main priority areas that are giving guiding principles for effective implementation of forestry related programmes. Indigenous Forests, Forest Reserves and Ecosystem Management, under which Dzalanyama Forest Reserve follows is priority area 2. Under this priority area the policy seeks to promote sustainable management of forests for the protection of the environment, conservation of biodiversity, water catchments and climate change management and also to provide a conducive environment for promoting eco-tourism in forest areas. The ...

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 ...

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve was first established as a game reserve  called Central Angoniland Game Reserve in 1911 and later as Dzalanyama Forest Reserve in 1922. The main objectives for the establishment are watershed management and control of biodiversity. Being a miombo woodland, Dzalanyama Forest Reserve supports various ecosystems of both fauna and flora. Within the reserve are two production plantations namely; Dzalanyama timber plantation(Pine; 18sq KM) which was established in 1978 and Katete fuelwood and poles plantation (Eucalyptus; 32sq KM) and was established in 1982. These two plantations were mainly established in order to supplement the growing demand of timber, fuelwood and poles to Lilongwe city and the surrounding districts. Natural woodland Pine Plantation Eucalyptus Plantation

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is located within Dzalanyama mountain ranges some 61Km South-Western side of Lilongwe city. The hills are gentle sloped and lies between an altitude of 1100-1650M above the sea level. The reserve falls within tropical savanna woodland climate and has Miombo woodland type of vegetation whose dominant species are the Julbernardia paniculata. The soils are predominantly sandy clay loams. The reserve recieves an average rainfall of about 840-960 mm and has temperatures between 19 and 21 degrees celcius. The total area of the reserve is estimated at 989.094sq Km.

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