Growing forests in Malawi

At a glance

Together with our project partner we have committed to restoring forests at Mount Mulanje, Malawi, with the primary goal to protect water resources and local biodiversity. The Mulanje Miombo Belt regeneration project restores two types of native forests: the Afromontane forest with the endemic Mulanje cedar, and the surrounding miombo woodland with large diversity of species. The key to successful forest regeneration is to create job opportunities and ensure alternative income sources for local communities who have been using the forests around Mount Mulanje for construction of wood, firewood and charcoal. Sustainable methods such as tree planting, agroforestry and beekeeping, in combination with support of law enforcement activities will further lessen the pressure on the forests.

Carbon impact

Although the Mount Mulanje Forest Reserve has been officially protected since 1927, severe deforestation and degradation have taken place due to a lack of investments and because neighbouring communities have used it for construction of wood, firewood and charcoal. This longstanding utilization has resulted in increasing pressure on the forest its ecosystem and endemic flora and fauna, causing concerns about their climate resilience and long-term survival.

To reverse this trend, the reserve will be restored with 2 types of forests: montane forests and miombo. Letting forests regrow naturally can help absorb 23% of the worlds CO2 emissions every year, research indicates. This process is carried out all year round and serves to promote the natural succession of the forest species. Reducing CO₂ through carbon sequestration activities such as Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) and enrichment planting also contribute to clean water, reduced erosion, lower landslide risk, and flood or drought mitigation.

The project aims to support 13 000 households to transition away from using forest resources through improved cookstoves and agroforestry schemes that create a sustainable supply of fuelwood from an estimated 2.7 million new agroforestry trees.

Co-benefits

The program aims to boost biodiversity by fostering healthy tree growth. Mulanje witnessed an 8430 ha tree cover loss from 2001 to 2021, marking a 21% decline since 2000. This directly impacted species like the unique Mulanje Cedar tree and the Mulanje chameleon.

A robust forest is vital for water supply to villages, local agriculture (tea and macadamia plantations), and Blantyre, Malawi's economic capital. The project collaborates with local community groups to create jobs, diversify income sources, and support law enforcement against deforestation. These groups safeguard and replant the reserve's mountain forests and buffer zone. Tailoring to two vegetation types, assisted natural generation (ANR) and enrichment planting are applied. Mulanje seedlings come from community nurseries and are planted in the Montane Forest. Cedar seedlings act as protective hedges. Miombo woodlands are restored with around 70 typical tree species, regenerating swiftly from root or seed stock.

Agroforestry is also promoted. Local communities undergo training to become resilient agroforesters, deriving income from fruit or timber trees to withstand climate change. Currently, 6559 families benefit, with over 820 ha under restoration and 926,134 trees of 54 species. While these efforts revive the reserve, the root cause – clearing for agriculture, illegal timber, and charcoal – persists. Planting income-generating trees like fruit, mushrooms, and honey-producing species addresses this issue. Activities such as beekeeping further alleviate pressure on growing forests.

WeForest

This project is run by WeForest, a non-profit organization that was established in in 2010. WeForest’s mission is to create a world where communities and nature sustainably thrive together to stop global warming in our lifetime. WeForest works towards this goal by conserving and restoring the ecological integrity of forest. Their goal is to reach over 100 million trees – equivalent to around 85.000 hectares – restored or conserved by the end of 2024, thereby making a significant contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.