Salima District has mainly lowlands with uneven terrain and some little upland. This poses a threat to most of the productive and marginal lands due to intense run-off resulting into soil erosion and resultant land degradation. The problem is compounded by heavy deforestation and cultivation of the uplands and marginal lands. Nkhwidzi is one of the seriously affected areas in Salima district where due to intensive deforestation coupled with upland and marginal land cultivation, the area is gradually facing land degradation, forest resource depletion and habitat destruction. For instance, currently in Nkhwidzi area charcoal burning and cultivation in the marginal lands is a so common practice that if no interventions are made, serious environmental consequences are likely going to occur. These will include the drying up of productive streams, washing away of productive top soils and siltation of the productive valley during the rainy season. This will eventually worsen the vulnerability situation of the local community who rely on the same land, water and forestry resources for their livelihoods.
Nkhwidzi area is located in TA Ndindi of Chipoka EPA in Salima District in Central Region. The area is along the shores of Lake Malawi. Nkhwidzi area is about 30 Km from Salima Town. The area is basically flat with some hills. The hill provides a source of fuel wood for most of the households in the area. According to statistics from the Agriculture Office in the area (Chipoka EPA), Nkhwidzi has about 1200 households with 9 villages. Therefore, with an average of 5 members per household, the estimated total number of people depending on resources from nearby, like water, fuel wood and land is 5500.
Objectives:
1. To build local capacity in management and utilisation of soil and water resources.
2. To promote afforestation and sustainable forest resource management and utilisation.
3. To empower economically vulnerable households