Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (MCHF), a project designed to support the government in addressing charcoal-led deforestation, has emphasized that a committed local leadership is crucial for effective forest management in Malawi.
During a learning exchange tour to Kaning’ina Forest Reserve in Nkhata Bay and Perekezi Forest Reserve in Mzimba, MCHF’s Lead Programme Management Specialist, Wezzie Chisenga, highlighted the project’s efforts to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for improved law enforcement. The project also promotes the adoption of cleaner cooking alternatives to illegal charcoal in cities, where increased demand for charcoal is the leading cause of deforestation.
During the tour, village natural resources management committees, honey producers, and other forest management stakeholders visited Chafisi and Gudugudu Forest Blocks, part of the fifteen thousand hectares of Perekezi Forest Reserve. They had the opportunity to learn from their counterparts about forest management practices and the benefits of conserving indigenous forests.
Nkhatabay District Council was represented by Moses Jere, Principal Administrative Officer.
“The committees have learned best practices in forest and land management during this trip,” said Jere.
Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests is a five-year project co-funded by USAID and UKaid.
