Environment
A study of forest based alternative livelihoods for local communities around Malosa Forest Reserve
Forest-based livelihoods in Malawi
Authors:
L.K. Eneya; D.J.K. Saka; Natural Resources and Environment Centre
Publisher:
Chancellor College, University of Malawi, 2007
This study was conducted to identify and promote forest-based alternative livelihoods for local communities around Malosa Forest Reserve. The objectives are to determine the extent of access by local communities to forestry resources in the reserve, to identify and promote sustainable exploitation of non-wood products from the reserve, and finally, to determine alternative livelihoods for the local communities in the absence of woody resources. A questionnaire was administered to seven villages around the reserve at an average of 2 people per village.
Results indicate that the communities have access to the forestry resources in the Malosa Forestry Reserve. However, there is a difference in the type of forestry resources accessed. For wood products, 9.6% indicated that they depend on the forest for firewood for both cooking and sale. About 10% indicated that they depend on the forest for poles and charcoal. On non-wood products, about 51.4% indicated that they collect fruits, 53.7% mushrooms, while about 5% indicated other non-wood products such as cane and bush meat. The only significant forest based sources of livelihood identified were fruits (mainly Uapaca Kirkiana) and mushroom. Asked to rank the most important non-wood product they get from the forest, respondents indicated water (source of rivers) as the number one product. The study did not identify significant access to bush meat and cane as expected. Respondents indicated that these are no longer accessible due to deforestation and overexploitation. Therefore the livelihood strategies recommended include fruit processing, irrigation agriculture, woodlots, bee keeping and small-scale businesses.
