On The Ground in Malawi: Background

Balancing nature conservation and human well-being

Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in southern Africa. Managing the use of natural resources is thus a challenging task.

Unfortunately, the demand for firewood has led to a considerable rate of deforestation. Overfishing in Lake Malawi has, in turn, led to a rapid decline of fish populations. 

Meanwhile, the health and economy of the population are also facing major challenges deteriorating.

The overall well-being of people and nature conservation are intertwined in many ways. For example, poverty often leads to health problems and to a lack of education, and at the same time it is also the underlying cause of poaching.