The Ntcheu District Forestry Office under the ministry of Natural Resources Energy and Mining, has warned that continued encroachment into protected forest reserves is undermining efforts to restore degraded landscapes in the district.

District Forestry Officer Donnex Mtambo said the pressure on land driven largely by overpopulation, has pushed many communities to extend their farming activities into protected areas.

Mtambo said during a media tour of Mvai and Bemvu forest reserves on Friday that the department is working with surrounding communities by organizing them into forest management committees. 

"These committees help in conserving the forests while also benefiting from various livelihood initiatives", said Mtambo.

According to Mtambo, participating community members receive support in the form of goats, fruit trees, and small-scale irrigation systems, enabling them to reduce dependence on forest resources.

Chairperson for Kasale Block at Mvai Forest Reserve, Falia Tobias, said local residents recognize the dangers of deforestation and are committed to protecting the remaining trees to safeguard future generations.

Tobias further said out of the 1000 hectors that Kasale block is managing in Mvai Forest, over 2 hundred hectors has been restored.

At Bemvu Forest Reserve, committee chairperson Enex Chithunzi reported that the area has seen significant recovery. He said the forest had been almost bare in 2017, but community-led restoration efforts have helped restore vegetation.

Mvai Forest Reserve covers nearly 5,000 hectares, while Bemvu Forest Reserve spans 21 hectares. The reforestation work is being supported by several initiatives, including the Training Support Program, Restore Africa, and Areeca, among others.