EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL INSTITUTIONS IN SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN DEDZA, MALAWI

Collective action in forestry has been recognized as vital for effective management of forests, since collaboration can foster shared ownership and responsibility which could lead to sustainable management of the forests. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of local forest institutions in sustainable management of forests in Dedza, Malawi with much emphasis on (1) identifying knowledge and skills that institutions have in management of forests, (2) determining the perception of people on the condition of forests, (3) identifying challenges local forest institutions face in management of forests, and (4) identifying possible strategies to overcome challenges local forest institutions face in the management forests. A total of 214 households from Maiwaza, Kafulama, Kankhome and Songwe GVHs were used for the study. Data was collected using a standard structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussion with Village Natural Resource Management Committees (VNRMC). The results revealed that local forest institutions are not effective in sustainable management of forests, even though they had knowledge and skills (Nursery and woodlot management-46%; management of regenerants-33%; and fire management-21%) in the management of the forests. Illegal forest activities (charcoal production, timber sawing and encroachment for farming) (54%), low participation of men in forestry activities (33%), lack of traditional leaders commitment (9%), and inadequate support material (5%) were identified as challenges the local forest institutions face in management of forests. However, there is potential for the local forest institutions to sustainably manage the forest resources, since the committees were formed through a participatory process. The study revealed that the identified challenges can be overcome by provision of incentives (37%), stiffer penalties to perpetrators (25%), frequent sensitization meetings (19%), and provision of adequate support materials (19%). Therefore, the present study recommends that for sustainable management of forest resources to be achieved in the study area, local forest institutions should be fully empowered to make sound decisions for continued benefits for the entire community, since a strong system of authority combined with external support in rule enforcement could help to stabilise functioning of the local forest institutions.