Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change has described the Transforming Landscapes and Livelihoods Project as key to helping Malawi restore 4.5 million hectares of land degraded by human activities.
Principal Secretary in the ministry, James Ali, said this in Lilongwe during the launch of transforming landscapes and Livelihoods Project.
The project seeks to accelerate the restoration of the country’s Miombo and Mopane woodlands for sustainable forest and management of biodiversity.
“This five-year project will contribute significantly towards the achievement of Malawi 2063 because in the project we have included activities aimed at avoiding, reducing and reversing land degradation and deforestation. Communities participating will be empowered through beekeeping and other activities to improve their lives,” Ali said.
She added, ”It is disheartening that deforestation is on the increase every year.”
Malawi forest cover was at 32 percent in 2000 while to date it has decreased to 24 percent.”
The $6.3 million project will be implemented in the three districts of Balaka, Ntcheu and Mangochi targeting over 240,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land.
Currently, the project is being funded with financial support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) while Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing technical support to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.
