International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 6 Issue 3, March 2017 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve in Malawi Nameka Katumbi 1 , Jabulani Nyengere 2 , Elina Mkandawire 3 1, 2, 3 Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, Bunda Campus, P.O. Box 219 Lilongwe, Malawi Abstract: This research was carried out with the aim of assessing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Malawi. Particularly the research aimed at identifying what is driving deforestation and forest degradation in Dzalanyama forest reserve and analyzing the impacts of degradation on the livelihoods of the rural communities in Malawi. Data collected from households in villages bordering Dzalanyama forest was analyzed using SPSS to come up with frequency tables, pie charts and hectographs. The study revealed that charcoal production (40%); firewood production (32%); infrastructure development (13%); timber production (11%) and agricultural expansion (4%) are the main driving forces to deforestation and forest degradation in Dzalanyama forest reserve. Degrading of Dzalanyama forest reserve has affected the communities negatively evident in climate change (57%), soil degradation (37%) and biodiversity loss (6%). Therefore, reducing dependency of households on fuelwood will save most of the forests in Malawi. Keywords: Drivers, Deforestation and degradation, impacts 1. Introduction The transformation of forested lands by human actions represents one of the great forces in global environmental change and one of the great drivers of biodiversity loss. Forests are cleared, degraded and fragmented for timber harvest, conversion to agriculture, road-construction, mining industries, human-caused fire, and a myriad of other ways. The impact of people on Forest degradation has been and continues to be profound (FAO, 2010). In the year 1975, 47% of the land in Malawi was classified as forest. Nonetheless as of today, the country only has 36 % of the total land categorized as forest (FAOSTAT, 2010). Out of this forest area, 15 % is under natural woodlands on customary lands, 11 % is under national parks and game reserves and 10 % only is under forest reserves and protected hill slopes. Malawi registers the highest forest degradation rate in the SADC region, representing a net loss of 30,000 to 40,000 hectares per year of (mostly miombo) woodland. Mauambetaet al (2010) reported that Malawi has lost 2,501,571 hectares of both Indigenous and plantation forests and much higher values after this period between 1972 and 1990. During the last decade, overall forest cover has declined by 41% at the rate of 2.3% per annum. Much of the current forest degradation pressure occurs in indigenous forests due to increased demands for farmland and wood and other human pressures. Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is one of the most threatened natural ecological systems in Malawi due to tobacco curing, brick burning, firewood and charcoal selling that has intensified in the rural communities surrounding it. The forest degradation pressures are exceeding the regenerative capacity of the forest reserve (Murayama & Munthali, 2012). People in surrounding communities are felling trees for timber, firewood, poles and charcoal. The 20,000-hectare forest covers three districts: Mchinji, Lilongwe and Dedza. The reserve is well known for being sources of three important rivers; Bua, Diamphwe and Lilongwe. Lilongwe city, relies on these rivers for its water supply and the city is at a risk of having water problems in future if Dzalanyama reserve is not saved from degradation. 2. Objectives and Methods The study was done to identify driversand analyze their contribution to deforestation and forest degradation in Dzalanyama forest reserve. It also conducted to assess impacts of forest degradation on rural communities in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. While the activities may be specific to the study area, the basic interactions and subsequent impacts are endemic to most protected areas in Malawi. Data was collected using a household questionnaire, key informant interviews and a check list. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis to come up with the means, standard deviations, percentages and frequencies in using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20.0. Paper ID: ART20171448 DOI: 10.21275/ART20171448 889