Wildlife Utilisation Project

14 Aug 2001 Northern Region, Malawi, Africa Communities | Conflict | Farming

Zondiwe Ndhlovu

The project's overall aim is to promote wildlife farming activities for small-holders in Northern Malawi, where the landscape is still relatively undamaged.

The northern part of Malawi is relatively undamaged - it is estimated that half of the natural land surface is intact, with much wildlife yet thriving outside protected areas. This contrasts with central and southern areas where natural forest only survives in forest or wildlife reserves and national parks. However due to population pressure and therefore increased demand for firewood and land for cultivation and settlement, degradation of land in the northern part of the country is now happening more quickly.

The project's overall aim is to promote wildlife farming activities for small-holders in Northern Malawi. The team will work towards creating awareness and positive understanding of the need to conserve natural resources amongst local communities. This in turn should result in protected areas being better preserved through the reduction of illegal activities. Initially the project will focus on activities such as bee keeping and guinea fowl farming and will work with women's' groups in particular. Low-investment technologies will be used to ensure as wide a take up as possible; the project's initial phase will last for two years and will benefit approximately 600 families.

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