Bio-diversity

Majete is sorrounded by a high population density with limited land holding sizes.Over the years,agriculture has been hampered by poor soils,socio-economic factors resulting into increased frequency of weather related hazards such as floods and drought.The impact of these factors has been recurring food insecurity for most of the sorrounding households who live below the poverty line and experience food shortages.When their capacity is overstretched they resort to irrepressible coping mechanisms such as wanton cutting down of trees for timber,and agricultural expansion,charcoal production and poaching thereby threatening biodiversity conservation inside and outside the reserve. Success in management of wildlife in Malawi like in several African countries very much depends on the degree of support and respect awarded to protected areas by neighboring communities.Local communities bordering the reserve need to be sensitised about the economical value of wildlife and see tangible benefits accruing to them from the conservation of the reserve so that they can become allied to the protection of the wildlife resources. Projects main objectives 1.To enhance participatory biodiversity conservation of Majete Wildlife Reserve and socio-economic empowerment of neighboring communities through creation of sustainable alternative environmental livelihoods/income generating activities based on non timber forest products. 2.To enhance awareness of economical value of wildlife resources and environmental awareness through environmental education strategies and capacity building programmes.

Malawi