The Nyika-Vwaza Trust

The Nyika-Vwaza Trust was established in 2003 to assist the Malawi Department of National Parks with park management in the Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, both in northern Malawi. The Trust has an annual programme of management activities which focus largely on biodiversity issues. In addition, it implements specific projects such as the installation of a VHF radio network; the construction of eleven bridges; implementation and maintenance of roads; and the monitoring of collared elephant populations.

Community work at Nyika-Vwaza

The Trust also supports local community projects when possible and in the past this has included support to the Chigwere Cultural Village Lodge (with the provision of a borehole and other general support) and complete funding for the construction of the Chakaka Village Guest house used by hikers on the Livingstonia Trail.

 

CBNRM-Malawi (Community-Based Natural-Resource Management Malawi)

Throughout rural Malawi, people and institutions engaged in Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) are supported by a variety of donor organizations, several key government agencies and numerous local and international NGOs. This has led to significant progress in sharing information and resources amongst and between conservation efforts, local grass-roots business, and the sponsor organisations.

The local institutions hold the key to sustaining the impact of development efforts by establishing coordination, cooperation and collaboration amongst the implementing agencies. A successful CBNRM activity involves inspiring confidence in the process, seeing extension agents and NGOs play a service role, seeing tangible monetary benefits, and having the ability to make choices concerning the use of resources. There must be a process to help communities examine their internal make-up and the differences among groups within the community. This involves the following:

  • Determining what is ecologically sustainable
  • Achieving improved management of resources as well as economic growth
  • Helping communities distribute the proceeds of their work equitably
  • Building NGOs that can support communities in their efforts to undertake CBNRM
  • Helping all Malawians benefit from environmentally sound and sustainable management of their natural resources.