Taking the Nyika-Vwaza landscape to new heights.
Meet His Honour Mr Edward Twea, retired Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal in Malawi and recently appointed Board Chairperson of the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust. In this guiding role, Judge Twea brings a powerful voice to the protection of one of Malawi’s most vital landscapes. His leadership will be key to advancing conservation efforts across the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area.
In this Q&A, Judge Twea shares insights into the challenges of his role and how he plans to protect this critical water catchment and the communities that depend on it.
Why is the protection of this landscape so important and what is your vision?
One of my main goals is to raise the profile of both Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, ensuring that people are aware of the uniqueness of the landscape and the value it holds for communities and conservation.
Malawi has changed a great deal in the past 30 years. Our mountains have been stripped bare, and now most rivers dry up. The Nyika Plateau is a large, natural water catchment system that feeds Lake Malawi with around 10 percent of its water. Right now, five major rivers originate in the park. If we can keep the park intact, we can guarantee those rivers keep flowing to downstream communities.
In collaboration with the Government of Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), Peace Parks Foundation has been instrumental in the construction the Nyika-Vwaza Water Scheme. Funding was secured from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the German Development Bank, KfW.
I had the chance to visit this recently. It’s impressive. The system stretches 105 kilometres from the sedimentation tanks below the intake point at the Runyina River in Nyika and is expected to serve 18,433 people this year and close to 33 000 people over the next 20 years. To provide water to such a large number of people that are extremely vulnerable to drought is a major contribution.
Once it’s fully operational, I think people will begin to see real value in preserving the park and its surroundings. It’s not just a conservation issue, it’s a water security issue as well. That is a powerful message we need to share.
What role do you see for local communities in conservation efforts? Are local people involved or employed in management and park operations?
We have chiefs represented in the Trust – leaders from the top levels of the community. That’s a strong foundation for inclusive conservation at the very top. However in future, to enhance inclusivity, persons other than chiefs could be incorporated.
Nyika-Vwaza is a strong example of a co-existence model with communities at the heart. There is a 110 km solar fence built by the people living in the communities. This barrier will protect villages from roaming wildlife, such as elephant and hippo that have been destroying crops and causing many injuries some of which have been fatal. However, community members can still access the park to harvest natural resources in a controlled and sustainable manner, ensuring continued access to the resources they have relied on for generations.
There is also a large scope for cash-for-work programmes. This is part of an initiative where people receive cash payments in exchange for their labour, typically on community-based projects that benefit local infrastructure, services, or the environment. This creates income opportunities inside the park. Several communities are employed on a rotational basis to build roads and clear firebreaks and invasive species. This not only spreads the benefit of employment, but also builds stronger relationships between communities and the park. In Malawi, 25% of a government owned conservation area’s revenues are shared with the local communities. As the park begins to generate an income through tourism, we can direct those funds into larger community projects, such as improving schools and clinics.
How do you address the challenges of poaching and deforestation in the region?
If local communities can clearly see the benefits of the park, such as clean water, employment and tourism, they may be less inclined to participate in illegal activities such as poaching. Most local poaching is for bushmeat, out of necessity. If we can help communities access alternative protein sources using income from park-related activities, there will be less pressure on wildlife
When it comes to international poachers, though, that’s a tougher challenge. It’s a serious threat and needs strong protection measures. Last year, I attended a function that showcased the security systems around the park and I was impressed by what has been put in place. There is a forward operating base, a rapid response unit of highly trained rangers, a canine unit with free-running dogs, and the involvement of the police. In the future, it may be wise to invest in drone technology to enhance surveillance.
How do you plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust’s conservation efforts?
I think the first key to sustainability is political goodwill. So far, we’ve done well in that regard. But we also need to be realistic. As technology advances, the park might be found to contain resources that are even more valuable than the wildlife. That will bring pressure. It is important that we create systems and agreements now that safeguard the ecological and social value of the landscape.
What are your thoughts on securing funding and resources?
We have already agreed on a model for revenue sharing from park-related income, including activities such as clearing invasive species and selling the wood:
- 50% stays with the park,
- 25% goes to surrounding communities, and
- 25% goes to the national treasury.
If we manage those funds wisely, we will be able to attract more partners and investors who recognise the long-term benefits of engaging with the park.
What message would you like to share with the people of Malawi and the international community about the importance of the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust’s conservation efforts?
As we go forward, we’ll continue to face competing and sometimes conflicting national and political interests. Governments come and go, but if we destroy Nyika, it will be gone forever. We must preserve it. The long-term benefits that come from protecting this landscape far outweigh those from short-term exploitation. Once lost, this unique environment cannot be recovered. v
