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Through your generous support, the Nyika-Vwaza Trust in Malawi works with the
Department of National Parks and Wildlife to improve the conservation of wildlife
in the Nyika National Park and the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.
The Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust will provide the funding for year on year operational
costs and specific projects through the generosity of its supporters.
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Protective Early Burn Project
Why is this project needed?
The Nyika National Park with all its flora and fauna is threatened every year during the dry season by uncontrolled wild fires that are started either outside the Park or by poachers operating within the Park. This is the single most serious threat to the entire ecosystem, including the ancient relic forests that occupy the deep valleys of the plateau.
To counter this threat, every year the Malawi Trust clears firebreaks around forest areas, especially the precious Juniper Forest, and carries out a programme of burning sections of the plateau grasslands. This takes place towards the end of the wet season when fires burn slowly and can be controlled. The programme involves burning different sections once in every three years to ensure that areas are not subjected to an excess of fire.
The benefits of the programme include:
The burnt areas act as additional firebreaks
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The gently burnt areas allow the plateau pastures to rejuvenate and are hence an encouragement for the entire ecosystem to flourish. This results in grazing animals, and their predators, returning in good numbers to previously tired pasture land
Strategically planned early burning can significantly deter poaching activity, which is at its height during the dry season
How will this project be implemented?
Major changes were introduced to the programme in 2011 by combining local knowledge with the scientific expertise of two members of the United States Forest Service. In the words of the Malawi Trust Manager:
“We have devised a simple, and we hope most effective, programme for 2011; namely burning a 50 metre wide marginal swathe on either side of all the main routes through the plateau. Certain areas designated as research zones, will be kept fire free. These areas include the wattled crane protected dambo, the bracken research zones and the forest zones (Zovo Chipolo, Chowo and Fingira Rock).”
On the advice of local members of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife stretches of grasslands just off either side of the plateau ridges were also burnt, as poachers normally start their fires from ridge tops where winds are strongest. The effects of this revised programme will be closely monitored during the ensuing years.
Our request
We ask for £6,000 to cover the 2011 costs or, if possible, for a commitment to fund three or more years of this vital annual programme inclusive of inflationary costs. If you would like to find out more about this project, including a detailed breakdown of project costs, please contact Harry Foot, Stowford Farm, Harford, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0JD; Tel: (0)1752 892632; Email: stowfoots@southdevon.org or Tom Lupton Tel: 01580 291658;
Email: tomlupton@btinternet.com
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