Forest Guards Risking Their Lives To Keep Malawi’s Forests Standing

This sugarcane plantation in front of a government forest reserve is largely under community stewardship in Chiradzulu District. People from the village below take turns patrolling the area and raising awareness about the importance of not cutting down trees, as the forest serves as a vital source of water for their sugarcane and vegetable fields, as well as for domestic use. Credit: Charles Mpaka/IPS

By Charles Mpaka
BLANTYRE, Mar 31 2025 (IPS)

In Malawi, being a forest guard isn’t a glamorous, sought-after job.