Malawi Moves to Limit Charcoal Use | Voice of America - English
In Malawi, the government and environmental NGOs have joined in an effort to reduce dependency on charcoal for cooking and heating. They're looking for other forms of energy because the charcoal trade has left most of the country's woodlands bare. But most Malawians find it difficult to switch. Voice of America English to Africa reporter Lameck Masina in Blantyre says statistics indicate that almost all Malawians depend on charcoal for cooking.
Jane Sumaniis a housewife in the commercial capital, Blantyre. She says, "I use charcoal because electricity is very expensivefor cooking or heating. Moreover, charcoal is also sold in smallest[quantities] at affordable prices for most of ordinary Malawians. I cannot stopusing it, I cannot stop." Coal-burningstoves are also cheaper than electrical appliances like cookers and heaters. Abrand new hotplate costs around US$30, while a locally made charcoal stove nowcosts around US$2 and needs no sophisticated maintenance. A sizable bag of charcoal in urban areas cost about US$7.Sumani says for an average family of seven, like her own, it may last a week.But those who use electricity may pay twice as much for their cooking andheating. Researchhas shown that 140,000 tons of charcoal are produced every year in Malawi.Environmentalists say this is the main reason for the loss of about 50,000hectares of indigenous forest every year ? the highest deforestation rate inthe region of the Southern African Development Community. Thecharcoal trade is illegal in Malawi. Police at roadblocks have beenconfiscating it but have not stopped the trade. John Mandaproduces the fuel in the southern district of Mwanza, one of the areas ravagedby deforestation mostly due to charcoal production: "I havebeen burning charcoal for 20 years. This is where mybread and butter come from; this is where I get money to pay school fees for mychildren. Although I know that it is not legal, there is no way Ican stop without government giving me an alternative business." DaulosMauambeta is the executive director of Wildlife and Environmental Society ofMalawi, an independent NGO that fights environmental degradation. He saysefforts are underway to divert communities producing charcoal to otherprofitable ventures: "For example, some communities are keeping the beeswhich are producing the honey (which) they sell. Others are keeping the guineafowl, which they also sell, while other communities are producing baobab fruitjuices, aiming at increasing income at their household level." Mauambetasays his organization is running a program that encourages communities to planttrees they can use for firewood. Areport released in December 2007 entitled "Charcoal Consumption, Trade andProduction in Malawi," recommends the regulation of the charcoal industry asopposed to criminalization. The author, economist Patrick Kambewa, told the UNhumanitarian news agency, IRIN, that criminalizing the industry means arrestingthousands of people involved in one of the few industries that benefit thepoor. He says the scale of charcoal production, ifregulated, could make it one of the country's top earners after tobacco andtea, and would also encourage the sustainable use of wooded areas. The report estimates that the industry employs about93,000 people as producers, transporters and roadside or urban vendors. Mauambeta says negotiations are in place with government on regulating thetrade. He favors a system that would legallyallow communities to manageforests and provide licenses to communities to produce charcoal. By limitingthe number of licenses issued and restricting the amount of charcoal allowedunder each one, the state could control the amount of forest loss: "We areengaging the government to develop systems that would allow the communities toown forests at the same time to get a license from the Department of Forestry.Then, they can start manufacturing charcoal and pay taxes to the governmentfrom the business." Ted Kalebeis the minister of energy and mining. He says the government has begun a six-yearprogram known as Improving Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihood. He says theprogram, run jointly by the European Union and the Malawi government aims toimprove the livelihood of communities through the sustainable and collaborativemanagement of forests. Kalebe saysthe program also encourages the communities to use wind power and solar energy. But skeptics doubt the effort will succeed,given the huge financial profits that traders gain from charcoal sales. Mandasay he makes about US$200 per month from selling charcoal ? good money for avillager and above the average pay for many workers. That includes journalists,who may only earn around US$70 a month.