In its bid to restore Forest cover for Dzalanyama forest reserve and improve the live so Malawians, the project planned a number of activities in this implementation period. With financial support from Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund, CCDR has managed to build firebreaks in some parts of the forest, prepare tree nurseries for 2023/2024 tree planting season, train clubs in beekeeping and honey production and installed 150 beehives as well as monitor goats production among beneficiaries among other planned activities.
The project under objective 1 is set to restore forest cover of 200 hectares of deforested land for Dzalanyama forest reserve through re-afforestation and natural regeneration (50 hectares re-afforested and 150 hectares managed through natural regeneration) by 2026.
To achieve this objective, 50 hectares of land will be planted with indigenous and fruit trees such as Miombo (Brachystegia spp) in Dzalanyama forest Reserve and 150 hectares of deforested land will be managed for regeneration. As such the project conducted a number of activities in line with this objectives such as construction of firebreaks for both regenerating area and newly tree planted area to keep away fire, established tree nurseries for the coming 2023/2024 tree planting season.
1.2.1.1 Construction of Fire breaks for the newly planted trees area
More fire breaks have been constructed by the communities at a 10 hectare of land this reporting period. The fire breaks are where the project planted trees in January 2023 at a fee of MK600, 000. There is good survival rate of the trees that were planted in April 2023 compared to the trees that were planted in January 2023. This is so, because the area is a water shade area hence more trees that were planted in January died. Replanting of trees where they did not survive is scheduled in March 2024.
1.2.1.2 Construction of Fire Breaks in the regeneration area
As one of the output indicators for restoring forest cover in Dzalanyama where 150 hectors of regeneration inside Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is be managed, fire breaks were also constructed around the forest in 2021. However monitoring visits conducted by the team on 14th September 2023, found that area has been badly destroyed by the villagers, all the shooters that were taken care of in the past year and growing well have been cut down by villagers for fuel use and some burnt for charcoal. This is the case due to inadequate of forest guards to protect the area. Currently there are only 3 forest guards who are taking care of more than 100 hectors of forest land in this area of Likuni block.
1.2.1.3 Tree Nursery Preparation and Management
In July 2023, the project started nursery establishment preparations for the 2023/2024 tree planting season,this involved ground levelling, land clearance, and creating an optimal environment for the growth of seedlings. The target number of seedlings for 2023/24 tree nursery is 20, 000.
The project purchased and delivered 20,000 empty tubes to the group for filling soil and subsequent placement of tree seeds. The tubes serve as containers for the germination and early growth of tree seedlings
As of September, 2023, around 8000 tree seedlings had already germinated remaining with 12000 which were expected to germinate by September 2023. The tree seedlings are being prepared by members of Mbangombe community. These seedlings will be sold to CCDR which will plant them in Dzalanyama forest reserve.
