Weforest Malawi

cedars, communities and mountains

Project description

Mount mulanje - 2019

In 2019, I travelled to Mount Mulanje to be able to tell the story of the Mulanje cedars, once a mighty forest on the mountain flanks, now reduced to nurseries at the foothills. WeForest in collaboration with the Mount Mulanje Conservation Trust (MMCT) are striving towards the restoration of the forests.

: Corruption-linked illegal harvesting of Mulanje cedar in action

: Scattered around the mountain, small groups of men carry the burdensome weighty planks downhill to the valley

: With no mature Cedar left on the mountain, these planks will be among the last to head down Mulanje mountain

: The forests around Ruo Gorge harbour unique biodiversity and spectacular views.

: The fern flora of Mulanje mountain is exceptionally diverse with over 100 species inventoried in the forests

: Mount Mulanje is a source of water, desperately needed in the downstream communities.

: The Cedar is now officially economically extinct. Will the National tree of Malawi completely disappear soon?

: The durable, termite-proof timber is suitable for construction and wood carving.

: Hidden in the forests, saw pits where the cedar planks were produced are a common sight.

: After fires have swept over the plains, flora takes advantage and starts flowering in abundance.

: The water-holding capacity of Xerophyta shrubs their fibrous “stems” which mainly consist of a massive sheath of adventitious roots offers favourable growth conditions for epiphytes.

: Fire control and suppression of alien plants species are essential to protect the flora and fauna of the Mulanje massif

: The Mulanje mountain chameleon can only be found on Mount Mulanje. Spot-lighting at night is your only chance to encounter these amazing animals.

: A caterpillar is weary of the photographer and enters defence mode.

: The East African reed frog (Hyperolius substriatus) comes out when the rains intensify.