[3] Malawi being an agricultural based economy production is dependent on natural resources whose availability and stability cannot be guaranteed in the area.

The drivers of deforestation and soil erosion are interrelated with growing human population, increased demand of firewood and limited job opportunities being the main ones.

The State of Environment Report of 2000 for the district identified five pressing environmental issues for the district and these included: overpopulation, encroachment in water catchment areas, poor public place sanitation, declining fish catch from natural water bodies and loss of biodiversity.

This is compounded by the undulating nature of the plain that is characterised by steep descents and the rocky formation of the road surface.

[8] The main root cause of environmental degradation in the area is poverty coupled with dwindling crop production due to scarcity of land for agricultural activities.

This problem has forced the local communities to encroach the forest reserve and cultivate in the buffer zone of the rivers and streams.

It is therefore believed that local communities' needs, assets, interests, and aspirations are taken into account, and there is need to promote and yield substantial and long lasting solutions to nature conservation in the area for the benefit of the present and future generations.