MWASIP closes with almost 3,000 hectares under natural regeneration
Six years of work in the Shire River Basin restored riverbanks, plantations and village forests in seven districts.
The Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) has been completed. Between 2020 and 2026 the Department of Forestry implemented its restoration grants in Ntcheu, Balaka, Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Blantyre and Neno.
What was achieved
2,937.63 hectares placed under natural regeneration management through performance-based grants.
225.2 km of riverbanks and 789.19 hectares of customary land rehabilitated with trees.
177.32 hectares of new plantations established by individual tree growers, and 92.56 hectares of government plantation replanted by private growers.
182 village forest areas mapped and 17 participatory forest management plans developed.
8,003.63 kg of tree seed collected and 21 seed sources established.
Some farmers were still awaiting their final grants when the project closed, and pressure from illegal charcoal production, timber harvesting and farming continues. The Department will keep supporting the committees that now manage these areas.
