By Burnett Munthali
The implementation of Malawi’s second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which phases out in 2025, is being hampered by inadequate resources, according to Bonface Chimwaza, Chief Environmental Planning Officer at the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Speaking during a Spatial Biodiversity Assessments, Prioritisation, and Planning (SBAPP) Project workshop in Salima, Chimwaza acknowledged the challenges affecting progress. “There are some targets that we have managed to reach, and others haven’t been reached due to a number of factors, paramount amongst which could be gaps in funding,” he said.
The workshop also focused on refining preliminary targets for NBSAP. National Coordinator for the SBAPP Project, Tionge Mzumara Gawa from the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), highlighted the project’s role in biodiversity management. “This initiative will help in planning and measuring evidence through ecosystem maps to be produced,” she stated.
Hermis Chagoma, Principal Fisheries Research Officer at the Department of Fisheries, emphasized the importance of research in biodiversity conservation. “Since research is a crucial factor, this project will boost our knowledge on conservation and recovery,” he said.
The SBAPP Project is being implemented by MUST in partnership with the Environmental Affairs Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change. It aims to enhance Malawi’s capacity to identify and prioritize critical biodiversity areas, ensuring effective conservation strategies.
As the NBSAP nears its conclusion, stakeholders are hopeful that the SBAPP Project will bridge some gaps and advance Malawi’s biodiversity goals despite the financial challenges.
