Project Update: December 2008

The project team from 10-19 September 2008 and 13-22 October 2008 held series of meetings with traditional chiefs (see photo), indigenous people, local communities and stakeholders in 20 villages around the MMFR. About 4,600 people participated in the meetings. The aim of the meetings was to discuss with different community groups about the usefulness of forming active working groups to take leading roles in cultivation of the Mulanje cedar and natural resources conservation in and around the MMFR.

About 95% of all people who participated in the meetings supported the idea of forming working groups to look into environmental issues which affect the conservation of natural resources in MMFR and their lives. The next step will be facilitating the formation of the working groups, electing office and start training their members on tree nursery establishment and management.