Project Update: October 2005

Dr Bhima teaching school pupils on how to plant trees in degraded habitats.

In August 2005, the project team in collaboration with traditional leaders (TAs), the faith community, selected local communities, stakeholders and school pupils embarked on the rehabilitation exercise of the degraded wildlife habitats in Kasungu wildlife Reserve.

The project team members teamed up with TA Ndaka to lead his subjects (local people) in the area to plant more tree seedlings that were raised in some parts of the degraded areas in order to reclaim all parts of the wildlife reserve that were encroached by local communities for subsistence agriculture. Further, the wildlife officer, Mr. Banda led some school pupils from Kaufulu Primary School to plant more trees in all degraded areas in order to bring back the original vegetation for the benefit of the wildlife but also for their own benefits. About 1,896 native tree seedlings were planted during the whole exercise.

I am pleased to report that this exercise will continue for the rest of this year to ensure that all degraded habitats of the wildlife reserve are substantially reforested to enhance wildlife populations as there will be many suitable habitats and enough food for all animals in the reserve