Environmental research

The wanton cutting down of trees is a major cause of deforestation in our country. People are recklessly cutting down trees than they plant. The consequences of cutting down trees continue to affect our day-to-day life through erratic rainfall pattern, flooding and destruction of natural habitat for wild animals, hence scarcity of some important wildlife. The national situation has not spared Chiladzulu district, especially the area of Traditional Authority Likoswe. Its main hills of Maravi and Nguludi no longer have trees as they used to as burning of bricks using natural trees is the main business in the area. Chiladzulu district is the major supplier of bricks to several construction companies in Blantyre City. Recently the community has also started burning charcoal in the area. The charcoal is sold to Blantyre residents. These two economic activities have largely affected the natural forests in the area. The communities, led by their Group Village Headman Likoswe, are only too aware of the negative consequences of this environmental degradation and have demonstrated a keen interest in addressing these challenges. It is against this background that ECOYA intend to run a one and half years project called Likoswe Afforestation Project (LAP) in TA Likoswe in Chiladzulu district. The project is addressing the problem of land degradation, which is mainly caused by deforestation. The project is striving to see that there is improved and sustainable community livelihoods capable of protecting and rehabilitating environment through sustainable utilization of natural resources. Conservation of Maravi and Nguludi hills and other hilly areas and protection of river banks through tree planting are critical project activities. Project s Main Objectives To enhance public awareness on environment and natural resources conservation and management To minimize overdependence on trees as a direct source of livelihoods for communities Implementation Strategy Sensitization of communities including youth groups on conservation and management of trees Building confidence of rural communities to make sound decisions on development and forestry conservation issues Strengthening and working with existing community structures in consolidating past development efforts Key Project Outcomes Increased awareness on environmental issues and challenges in TA Likoswe. Increased tree and general vegetation cover in TA Likoswe area Sustainability of Project Results Active involvement of government extension staff ensures continued technical support for the communities. ECOYA shall also continue to monitor impact and provide follow-up advice way after the SGP funding. Inclusion of fruit tree seedlings in the programme ensures that project participants are able to derive individual economic benefits. This tends to motivate stakeholders in a project Establishment of local structures (VNRMCs) will promote local decision making and hence ownership of the project. As a pilot project, ECOYA will continue to mobilize additional resources in order to sustain some successful initiatives envisaged in the project. Community capacity building initiatives tend to empower communities and raise their ownership of the project.

Malawi