Locals in Phalombe Bemoans Encroachment on Protected Forest
Part of the degraded MJ Forest Reserve
Pic by Ronnex Chiwanda
Communities of Nkhulambe in Phalombe have bemoaned continued encroachment of the protected Mulanje Forest Reserve which is fueling deforestation in the area.
Chairperson for the Area Development Committee (ADC) John Allan and Group Village Head Nkhulambe told Zodiak Online on Thursday that they are planning to review some of the by-laws on the protection of the environment in the area.
Encroachers are cultivating and producing illegal charcoal in the forest.
Group Village Head Nkhulambe said they are working with the district council to find better ways to avert encroachment on the protected forest.
"People are encroaching on the protected forest because they do not have land to cultivate. Most of the land here is filled with sand due to last year's floods,” said Nkhulambe.
Meanwhile, environmentalist Maloto Chinkombero, has called on the government and other stakeholders to implement sustainable projects to address the issue.
Chinkombero said people are encroaching on the protected forest reserve for survival and implementing sustainable projects would curb the problem.
In 2023, over 100 people protested a decision by chiefs stopping them from producing and selling of illegal charcoal produced in the Mulanje Forest Reserve.
