Michiru Mountain is the only mountain around Blantyre, in southern Malawi, still with primary forest. Its stunning brachystegia forest and mountain streams are hugely biodiverse. It is Blantyre's lung. It has been protected for many years by the dedicated rangers of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, supported by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi since the charity started over 75 years ago.

But now Michiru is severely threatened by illegal poaching for poles, charcoal production and brick making. And we fear for its very existence.

The increasing effects of climate change on local communities, causing weather related hazards such as drought, have been made worse by the years of the Covid pandemic.

Covid 19 hit Malawi hard: the lockdowns meant people put out of work or not able to work, more poverty, more illness and more crime. Without means to buy fuel people turned to the only trees left in the city on Michiru.

In 2021 a ranger was hacked to death by poachers: but there was no criminal investigation. Government funding for the rangers has been cut back, meaning fewer patrols at key times and a demoralised and threatened workforce.

The local Chiefs and Traditional Authorities see their communities struggling to survive.

But WESM can see a positive future.

With your support we can:

Help communities make money through business training and resources

Set up village and school tree nurseries to grow fuel wood

Start four community bee-keeping clubs for honey

Teach youngsters about the importance of protecting their only local forest with visits and activities

Incentivise the rangers with bounties and equipment

Update the facilities at Michiru to encourage tourists

A year after our first appeal the situation remains dire – Michiru Mountain Nature Sanctuary is under threat of complete destruction - so much so the police and National Parks undertook a joint 3 day and night operation at the end of September, with the backing of WESM, local chiefs and local people.

Their aim – to arrest the criminals, to evict all people from the national park carrying out illegal activities and to destroy all the illegal kilns and other structures.

Around 50 police officers were involved over the 72 hours. So serious is the problem the Director of National Parks Brighton Kumchedwa and his team visited on day 2 and ordered all other rangers in Zomba and at Chileka airport to join the operation.

The patrols encountered 200 poachers on day 1, 21 on day 2 and 3 on day 3. Four arrests were made and their cases will be heard at Blantyre Central Court. All others were warned and allowed to leave, to prevent community unrest.

But the poachers will be back unless the rangers and police can keep up the pressure, while WESM Blantyre builds on its community upliftment and educational work at schools, faith-based wildlife clubs and community groups.

The police and rangers are putting their lives at risk to save their forest for future generations. They know that the presence of law enforcement is the only deterrent until the situation is under control.

WESM Blantyre is working hard - to support the communities who need help and to stop the illegal activity. Will you continue to help us?