Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve in Malawi

This research was carried out with the aim of assessing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Malawi. Particularly the research aimed at identifying what is driving deforestation and forest degradation in Dzalanyama forest reserve and analyzing the impacts of degradation on the livelihoods of the rural communities in Malawi. Data collected from households in villages bordering Dzalanyama forest was analyzed using SPSS to come up with frequency tables, pie charts and hectographs. The study revealed that charcoal production (40 %), firewood production (32 %), infrastructure development (13 %), timber production (11 %) and agricultural expansion (4 %) are the main driving forces to deforestation and forest degradation in Dzalanyama forest reserve. Degrading of Dzalanyama forest reserve has affected the communities negatively evident in climate change (57 %), soil degradation (37 %) and biodiversity loss (6 %). Therefore, reducing dependency of households on fuelwood will save most of the forests in Malawi.