STATUS OF FOREST RESOURCES IN MALAWI CUSTOM N. NYIRENDA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Introduction  Forests provide social, economic and environmental benefits  They support livelihoods through the provision of shelter, energy, shade, medicinal plants, income and food.  Forests contribute to the economy of the country  They also are important as carbon sinks and provision of ecosystem services

CLASSIFICATION OF FORESTS  Classification is based on tenure or type I.Tenure Public forests Customary Private II.Type natural/indigenous plantation forests.

NATURAL/PLANTATION FORESTS  Total 88 forest reserves for 9, sq.km  Plantations cover 900 sq. km The largest Government plantation is Viphya covers 53,000 Ha  Private plantations

STATUS OF FOREST RESOURCES  Natural forests Miombo woodlands: 92.4% Evergreen: 2.6%  Plantations:5.0% Pine: 3.4% Eucalyptus: 1.1% Others: 0.6%

THREATS/CHALLENGES TO FOREST RESOURCES  Forest resources in Malawi are under massive pressure Agricultural expansion Human settlement Unsustainable harvesting for energy (Charcoal production) Timber requirements; Uncontrolled fires.

Map LULUCF

Trend Analysis(simulated future forest cover at the national level) (a) Forest conversion risk map, (b) simulated forest cover for 2015, (c) simulated forest cover for 2020.

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FORESTRY RESOURCES  Re-afforestation through promoting participation of local communities in tree planting and forest management  Establishment and management of VFAs  Strengthening community based forest management

Tobacco Levy re-afforestation In Rumphi, Mzimba, Kasungu, Mchinji, Dowa, Lilongwe, Ntcheu, Balaka, Mangochi  Approach Consultations with traditional leaders Sensitisation meetings to promote ownership Training communities Procurement of inputs

Strategies to promote afforestation Establishment of nurseries at community level Registration of VNRMCs Provision of farm inputs

CHALLENGES TO TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES  Survival rate of planted trees  Forest fires  Provision of incertives by other players in the sector

PLANS FOR 2013/14 NFS Target60,000,000 Tobacco Levy afforestation5,000,000 Promotion of natural regeneration in areas where trees have been depleted

Conclussion  Forests play multiple roles in social and economic development; and environmental protection.  Therefore, it is important that forests are managed in a sustainable manner.