Kenneth McKaye, Alison Wiklund, Mary Shawa, Ad Konings, Jay

35 Pages·2013·45.03 MB·English

Kenneth  McKaye,  Alison  Wiklund,  Mary  Shawa,  Ad  Konings,  Jay  Stauffer,  
Henry  Madsen,  Katherine  Theiss-­Nyland,  Paul  Kite,  Mark  McKaye
Published  with  support  from:
Office  of  President  and  Cabinet,  Department  of  Nutrition,  HIV  and  AIDS,  Malawi
HEEED  (NEDI)
World  Wide  Fund  for  Nature,  Finland
Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs  of  Finland
Molecaten  (Pumulani)
MMaallaawwii    MMiinniissttrryy    ooff    Tourism,  Wildlife  and  Culture  (Department  of  National  Parks)
Malawi  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Food  Security  (Department  of  Fisheries)
Malawi  Ministry  of  Education
Malawi  Ministry  of  Health
Corporate  Graphics  Ltd.
Chembe  Water  Project
Chembe  Malaria  Prevention
MMaallaawwii    CChhiillddrreenn'ʹ'ʹss    Village
Society  of  Malawi,  Historical  and  Scientific
Rotary  District  No.  7350
Rotary  District  No.  9210
Gecko  Lounge
All  photographs  in  this  book  are  by  the  contributors,  unless  otherwise  credited.
Lake  Malawi  National  Park:  World  Heritage  Site
ISBN
Copyright  ©  2008  by  HEEED  (NEDI)  and  Office  of  the  President  and  Cabinet  Malawi.    All  rights    reserved.      No  part  of  this  book  
may  be  used  or  reproduced  in  any  manner  whatsoever  wthout  prior  written  permission  of  HEEED  and  the  Government  
of  Malawi,  Lilongwe,  Malawi
FOREWORD
Adequate  nutrition  and  an  HIV  and  AIDS-­‐‑free   their  fish.  This  cannot  be  overemphasized  and  
nation   for   all   Malawians   are   the   goals   of   the   calls  for  close  collaboration  with  other  organiza-­‐‑
Department  of  Nutrition,  HIV  and  AIDS  in  the   tions  such  as  the  World  Wide  Fund  for  Nature  
Office  of  the  President  and  Cabinet  (OPC).    Its   (WWF)   and   HEEED   (NEDI).   To   this   end,   the  
mandate  is  to  provide  technical  assistance  to  the   Malawi  Government  is  commi(cid:308)ed  to  conserving  
Minister  responsible  –  His  Excellency  Dr.  Bingu   the  fish  stocks  of  Lake  Malawi  through  proper  
wa   Mutharika,   President   of   the   Republic   of   management  and  the  promotion  of  aquaculture.
MMaallaawwii..  Under  his  leadership,  this  Department  
provides   policy   direction,   guidance,   oversight,   In  this  regard,  HEEED  (NEDI)  –  funded  by  WWF  
coordination,  supervision,  monitoring  and  evalu-­‐‑ Finland,   EU,   and   Rotary   Clubs   of   USA   and  
ation  –  through  the  creation  of  implementation   Malawi  –  among  others,  is  working  on  a  variety  of  
structures  for  nutrition,  HIV  and  AIDS. interventions   in   collaboration   with   the  
Department  of  Nutrition,  HIV  and  AIDS  in  OPC;  
The  President  of  Malawi  believes  that  for  Malawi   the  Ministries  of  Agriculture  and  Food  Security;  
to  move  from  poverty  to  prosperity  –  it  is  neces-­‐‑ Education;   Health;   Tourism:   Department   of  
sary   to   have   a   sound   human   resource   base.   PPaarrkkss,,  Wildlife  and  Culture;  Local  Government  
Nutritional   well-­‐‑being   and   a   reduced   disease   and  Women  and  Child  Development.    These  part-­‐‑
burden  are  prerequisites  for  both  reducing  the   nerships  are  addressing  issues  related  to  aquacul-­‐‑
impact  of  HIV  and    the  degradation  of  natural   ture,  nutrition,  HIV  and  AIDS,  orphans  and  other  
resources.   Non-­‐‑sustainable   use   of   wood   fuels   vulnerable  children  (OVC),  the  economic  empow-­‐‑
rraaiisseess  concern  as  to  how  people  will  cook  their   erment  of  women  and  OVC,  as  well  as  environ-­‐‑
meals;  nutritious  diets  are  only  available  if  there   mental  education  and  research.  The  overall  aim  
is  adequate  energy  for  food  preparation. to  be(cid:308)er  understand  the  need  to  protect  a  commu-­‐‑
nity'ʹs  natural  resources,  improve  conservation  of  
The  once  bountiful  fish  stocks  of  Lake  Malawi,   the  adjacent  Lake  Malawi  National  Park  and  the  
which   once   provided   60-­‐‑70%   of   the   animal   human  capital  development  for  prosperity.
protein   to   Malawians,   are   now   endangered  
through  over-­‐‑fishing.    Increased  siltation  due  to   We  recognize  and  thank  all  the  organizations  and  
deforestation,  soil  erosion  and  increased  water-­‐‑ individuals  that  have  contributed  to  the  noble  
borne  diseases  such  as  bilharzia  –  are  all  calling   idea  of  documenting  the  activities  surrounding  
for  innovative,  alternative  strategies  to  enhance   Lake   Malawi   National   Park,   UNESCO   World  
the  well-­‐‑being  of  both  the  rural  communities  and   Heritage   Site   –   including   the   authors   that  
the  neighboring  UNESCO  World  Heritage  Site:   contributed  to  the  book'ʹs  valuable  source  of  infor-­‐‑
Lake  Malawi  National  Park. mation  and  inspiration  to  all  who  read  it.
Furthermore,  Lake  Malawi,  the  third  largest  lake   Children,  the  future  custodians  of  Lake  Malawi  
in  Africa,  is  a  pristine  body  of  fresh  water  that  is   National  Park,  will  take  pride  in  their  natural  
home  to  over  1000  unique  species  of  fish  that  are     heritage.    The  distribution  of    this  colorful,  infor-­‐‑
found  nowhere  else  in  the  world.    This  beautiful   mative  book    to  schools  and  visitors  will  go  a  long  
environment  has  made  it  a  magnet  for  explorers,   way  toward  ensuring  that  this  Golden  Jewel  in      
tourists  and  scientists.    However,  with  the  rapid   Malawi,  the  Warm  Heart  of  Africa,  continues  to  
population   growth   exerting   pressure   on   fish   flourish   and   a(cid:308)ract   people   from   around   the  
rreessoouurrcceess  and  other  competing  interests  –  there  is   wworld.
an   urgent   need   to   preserve   and   protect   the  
UNESCO  World  Heritage  Site.  
For   this   to   happen,   there   is   a   need   to   take   a   Dr.  Mary  Shawa  -­‐‑  Principal  Secretary  
holistic  approach  in  preserving  Lake  Malawi  –   Department  of  Nutrition,  HIV  and  AIDS,  
whilst  enabling  Malawians  to  continue  enjoying Office  of  the  President  and  Cabinet,  Malawi
PREFACE
THE  GREAT  RIFT  VALLEY
The  Great  Ri(cid:286)  Valley  is  a  geological  and  geo-­‐‑ Africa,  is,  however,  a  shallow  basin.  This  magnifi-­‐‑
graphical   feature   of   East  Africa   and   Southern   cent  lake  is,  unfortunately,  drying  due  to  environ-­‐‑
Asia.  Approximately  6,000  kilometers  in  length,   mental  degradation  and  climate  change  (Fig.  1).
the  Great  Ri(cid:286)  Valley  runs  from  northern  Syria  in  
southwest   Asia   -­‐‑   to   central   Mozambique   in   Lake  Malawi  is  the  southern-­‐‑most  lake,  the  third  
south-­‐‑east  Africa.    Created  by  a  parting  of  several   largest  African  lake,  and  the  ninth  largest  lake  in  
tectonic  plates  (structures  floating  on  the  earth'ʹs   the  world.    Lake  Malawi’s  unique  creation,  within  
sseemmii-­‐‑-­‐‑lliiqquuiidd  mantle  under  the  crust),  the  Great  Ri(cid:286)   the  Great  Ri(cid:286)  Valley,  produced  an  unmatched  
Valley  is  a  complex  example  of  ri(cid:286)ing  or  separa-­‐‑ ecosystem  housing  over  one  thousand  species  of  
tion.  With  the  ri(cid:286)ing  of  these  tectonic  plates,  the   fish  –  more  than  any  other  lake  in  the  world.    Lake  
land-­‐‑mass   in   East  Africa   is   gradually   moving   Malawi  drains  into  the  Shire  River,  which  flows  
eastwards  and  leaving  behind  the  rest  of  Africa.     iinnttoo  the  Zambezi  River  and  finally,  into  the  Indian  
Over  several  millions  of  years,  this  movement  has   Ocean.    Cape  Maclear  is  situated  at  the  southern  
caused  a  series  of  cracks  which  have  filled  with   end  of  Lake  Malawi  and  is  the  location  of  Lake  
wwater:    including  Lakes  Tanganyika,  and  Malawi. Malawi  National  Park:  UNESCO  World  Heritage  
Lake  Victoria,  the  largest  of  the  Great  Lakes  of   Site.

Fig.  1    Location  of  Great  Rift  Valley,  Africa  and  Malawi
i
HISTORY  OF  THE  CAPE  MACLEAR  PENINSULA
THE  MISSIONARIES
Dr.  David  Livingstone,  the  famous  explorer,  led  an   endangered  by  the  prevalence  of  malaria,  sleeping  
expedition   through   the   central   region   of  Africa,   sickness,  and  black  water  fever.    A(cid:286)er  a  number  of  
researching  the  Zambezi  river  and  its  related  water   deaths,  the  mission  site  was  relocated  further  up  
sources   from   1856   to   1864.     In   recognition   of   the  lakeshore  in  1881.    A  se(cid:308)lement  at  Cape  Maclear  
Livingstone’s  work,  and  a(cid:286)er  his  death  in  1873,  Rev.   lasted  until  1896  when  the  site  was  finally  aban-­‐‑
Dr.   James   Stewart   made   a   request   to   the   Free   doned  for  health  reasons.    
Church  of  Scotland  in  1874  that  a  mission  be  estab-­‐‑
lliisshheedd  in  the  Lake  Malawi  region  and  be  named   TThhee   Livingstone   mission   finally   se(cid:308)led   in   the  
“Livingstonia,”  a(cid:286)er  Livingstone.    The  Free  Church   mountainous  lakeshore,  too  cold  for  mosquitoes,  
of  Scotland  responded,  and  a  number  of  wealthy   now   known   as   Livingstonia,   Malawi,   in   1894.  
businessmen   immediately   contributed   to   the   Although  the  mission  se(cid:308)lement  was  abandoned  –  
project.  A  subcommi(cid:308)ee  was  formed  under  whose   tthhee  natural  beauty  of  the  area  continued  to  draw  
auspices  Rev.  Stewart  began  to  make  preparations   visitors.  These  included  passengers  from  the  BOAC  
for  the  upcoming  expedition,  the  most  significant   Flying  Boat  Service  (l949-­‐‑1950)  that  landed  for  an  
bbeeiinngg    tthhee    sseelleeccttiioonn    ooff    ppeerrssoonnnneell..     overnight  stop  at  Cape  Maclear  en  route  between  
Southampton  Docks,  UK  and    Johannesburg,  SA.    
In  1875,  the  first  expedition  began,  led  by  Lt.  E.  D.  
Young  of  the  Royal  Navy.  He  was  accompanied  by  
the  physician,  Rev.  Dr.  Laws,  of  Aberdeen.  Besides  
evangelism,  strong  emphasis  was  also  placed  on  
educational,  industrial  and  medical  work  for  the  
local  communities  of  Malawi.    The  party  comprised  
Dr.   William   Black   (medical   missionary,   Fig.   2),  
GGeeoorrggee   Johnston   (carpenter),   John   Macfadyan  
(engineer  and  blacksmith),  Alan  Simpson  (second  
engineer),   Alexander   Riddell   (agriculturist)   and  
William  Baker  (seaman).  
On  October  11,  1875,  the  party  reached  the  village  
of  Chief  Mponda  whose  friendship  was  indispens-­‐‑
able.   He   was   the   one   to   provide   them   with   a  
mission  site.
The   Cape   Maclear   location   was   selected   for   its  
shelter  from  the  strong  lake-­‐‑winds,  its  beauty,  and  
its  welcoming  local  community.    The  new  mission  
site  at  Cape  Maclear  initially  flourished,  but  the  
health  of  the  missionaries  was  greatly  impaired  and   Fig.  2    Plaque  to  Dr.  William  Black,  Missionary  Grave  Site,  Cape  Maclear
ii
LAKE  MALAWI  NATIONAL  PARK
UNESCO  WORLD  HERITAGE  SITE

Fig.  3    Sunset  at  Lake  Malawi  National  Park
The   United   Nations   Educational,   Scientific   and   the  world  –  designed  specifically  to  protect  these  
Cultural  Organization  (UNESCO)  in  1972  adopted   endangered  fishes.
the  Convention  concerning  the  Protection  of  the  
World  Cultural  and  Natural  Heritage  which  has   WWith  a  small  grant  from  World  Wildlife  Fund  USA  
resulted  in  the  creation  of  830  sites  throughout  the   and  at  the  request  of  the  Malawi  Government,  Dr.  
world  having  been  designated  as  World  Heritage   Kenneth   McKaye   used   an   underwater   Nikonos  
Sites   –   with   more   sites   added   each   year.   In   camera  to  record  the  first  underwater  pictures  of  
SSuubb-­‐‑-­‐‑SSaahhaarraa  Africa,  there  are  70  sites,  including  two   Lake  Malawi  fishes  in  their  natural  environment  
in   Malawi:   Lake   Malawi   National   Park,   in   (Fig.  4  &  5).    The  outcome  was  used  by  both  the  
Mangochi   District,   and   the   Chongoni   Rock  Art   World   Wide   Fund   for   Nature   (WWF)   and  
Area,  near  Dedza. IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall  Union  for  the  Conservation  of  Nature  
(IUCN)  to  encourage  the  United  Nations  to  desig-­‐‑
Lake  Malawi’s  unique  ecosystem  has  the  highest   nate  LMNP  as  a  World  Heritage  Site  in  1984.    The  
vertebrate  diversity  in  the  world  with  perhaps  over   designation   was   in   recognition   of   its   biological  
1000  species  of  fish.    Through  the  efforts  of  two  sci-­‐‑ importance  and  the  high  cichlid  fish  species  diver-­‐‑
entists,   Dr.   Kenneth   McKaye   and   the   late   Dr.   sity  (Fig.  5  &  6)  -­‐‑  over  60  times  greater  than  the  
Richard  Bell,  Lake  Malawi  National  Park  (LMNP)   famous  Darwin’s  finches  found  in  the  Galapagos  
was  gaze(cid:308)ed  in  1980  as  the  first  freshwater  park  in   Islands,  another  World  Heritage  Site.    
iii
As  a  UNESCO  World  Heritage  Site,  Lake  Malawi  
National   Park   belongs   to   the   entire   world   and  
hence  all  nations  are  responsible  for  its  conserva-­‐‑
tion.     UNESCO   seeks   to   assist   Governments   to  
protect  and  preserve  important  cultural  and  natural  
heritages  throughout  the  world.      
WWF  Finland  (www.panda.org/africa/lakemalawi)    
in  partnership  with  the  Government  of  Malawi  –  
Office  of  the  President  and  Cabinet  (OPC),  Ministry  
of  Tourism,  Wildlife  and  Culture  (Department  of  
National  Parks),  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Food  
Security   (Department   of   Fisheries),   has   been  
playing  a  leading  role  in  trying  to  manage  this  
iimmppoorrttaanntt   site   and   specifically,   supporting   two   photo  by  Francis  LeGuen
Fig.  4    Dr.  Kenneth  McKaye  preparing  for  a  dive
main   aspects   of   UNESCO’s   World   Heritage  
mission:
  •  encourage  participation  of  the  local  population  in  the  
           preservation  of  their  cultural  and  natural  heritage;
  •  encourage  international  cooperation  in  the  
           conservation  of  our  world’s  cultural  and  natural  
           heritage.  
RReeflfleeccttiinngg  the  spirit  of  these  goals  and  since  2002  –  
three  WWF  Finland  projects  have  been  working  
closely  with  the  Government  of  Malawi  to  foster  
the   conservation   of   this   world   resource   and   to  
improve   the   lives   of   the   people   living   in   and  
around  LMNP.  The  objectives  of  the  three  projects   Fig.  5    Brightly  colored  breeding  male  cichlid  fish
have  aimed  to:
11..     Improve   the   health   and   well-­‐‑being   of   the  
populace  through  education/outreach/awareness  –  
raising     campaigns  to  increase  an  understanding  
of  the  relationship  between  the  environment  and  
human     health.
22..     Improve   the   health/nutritional   status   of   the  
people  in  the  region  and  combating  the  scourge  of    
bilharzia,   HIV   and  AIDS   through   research,   the  
creation  of  fish  ponds  and  sustainable  horticultural  
practices/gardens.
3.     Find   alternative   sources   of   energy   to   reduce  
deforestation  within  the  region.
Fig.  6    Scientists  collaborating  with  local  divers  in  LMNP
iv
4.     Production   of   educational   material   through   Stora  varlden  by  FST  (Finnish-­‐‑Swedish  TV)  about  
videos,  booklets,  evening  shows  –  to  promote  con-­‐‑ Alison  Wiklund  and  her  work  in  Malawi;  also  the  
servation  and  environmental  education,  including   production  of  this  book  Lake  Malawi  National  Park:  
exchange   of   information   between   Finnish   and   UNESCO  World  Heritage  Site    -­‐‑  will  publicize  the  
Malawian  schools. unique  fishes  of  the  Park  and  their  conservation.
5.     Foster   sustainable   economic   development,   WWWWFF  Finland  believes  that  environmental  educa-­‐‑
through   the   sale   of   vegetables,   fruit   and   fish   tion   is   critical   for   ensuring   the   continuity   of  
produce,  handicra(cid:286)s  and  the  promotion  of  tourism   Malawi’s  natural  resources,  as  well  as  all  Malawi  
through  diving  and  snorkeling  in  LMNP. National  Parks.    Children  are  the  future  stewards,  
and  it  is  therefore  important  to  train  youngsters  to  
66..    Focus  international  a(cid:308)ention  on  Lake  Malawi   observe   their   natural   surroundings,   and   under-­‐‑
National   Park,   through   videos/documentaries:   stand   their   relationship   with   their   environment  
Francis  LeGuen  Afrique-­‐‑L'ʹor  bleu  sous  les  sables;  BBC   (Fig.  7).    To  this  end,  in  2005,  WWF  Finland  funded  
Planet  Earth  Series;  Globe  Trekker;  WWF,  Finnish   the  establishment  of  HEEED  (NEDI)  NGO.  
Documentary  on  Malawi  by  Lasse  Tuorila;  Alison  i    
Fig.  7    Children’s  open  air  environmental  education  class  
v
HEEED

ponds,  gardens  and  handicra(cid:286)s  in  Chirombo  Bay,  
HEEED   (NEDI)   is   a   local   NGO   registered   with  
on  the  Mangochi-­‐‑Monkey  Bay  road.  
CONGOMA,   No.   NEDI   TR/INC   2053.     HEEED  
stands  for  Health,  Education,  Environment,  and  
Economic  Development  which  works  closely  with  
the  Office  of  the  President  and  Cabinet  (OPC)    and  
is  supported  by  WWF  Finland,  Rotary  Malawi,  US  
Rotary  Clubs,  and  private  donations.  
HHEEEEEEDD   seeks   to   foster   sustainable   projects   that  
promote   good   health   and   human   well-­‐‑being,  
regular  incomes,  as  well  as  self-­‐‑sufficiency  in  both  
food  production  and  the  fuel  required  for  cooking.    
The  goals  of  both  serving  humanity  and  the  envi-­‐‑
ronment  are  inextricably  linked  and  Lake  Malawi  
National  Park,  with  its  increasing  population,  is  
cchhaalllleennggiinngg  us  all  with  fundamental  questions  con-­‐‑
cerning   development   and   conservation.   The  
HEEED  Centre  (Fig.  8  &  9)  features  demonstration   Fig.  8    Demonstration  fish-­‐‑pond  at  The  HEEED  Centre
Fig.  9    The  HEEED  Centre,  Chirombo  Bay
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Health
AA  healthy  environment  requires  a  healthy  commu-­‐‑
nity  which  requires  well  developed  human  capital:  
this  simple  premise  has  been  the  guiding  principle  
of  WWF,  Office  of  the  President  and  Cabinet,  as  
well  as  HEEED.  To  this  end,  HEEED  has  developed  
a  holistic  approach  toward  a  number  of  programs  
focusing  on  community-­‐‑based  activities.
•  Sanitation:  Building  of  Blair  toilets  in  Chembe        
  village  and  Chirombo  Bay  (Fig.  10)  and  sanitation    
Fig.  10    Blair  Toilet
  education  –  a  cholera  and  dysentery  diseases  pre-­‐‑  
  vention  program.
••  Nutrition:  Providing  a  balanced  diet  for  the          
  entire  community,  through  aquaculture  and  the    
  production  of  fruit  and  vegetables.                    
  Demonstration  gardens  promote  year-­‐‑round      
  harvests,  providing  food  security.  Feeding  infants    
  and  toddlers  nutritious  porridge  during  critical      
  brain-­‐‑develop  ing  years  in  the  time  just  before        
    tthheeyy    aa(cid:308)(cid:308)eenndd    sscchhooooll    ((FFiigg..    1111))..
•  Bilharzia:  Research  into  causes  and  solutions  to        
Fig.  11    Feeding  under-­five  year  old  child
  this  prevalent  and  debilitating  disease.  Working          
  with  Departments  of  Fisheries  and  National        
  Parks  staff  to  protect  the  local  species  of  fish  that    
  naturally  feed  on  the  disease-­‐‑carrying  water        
  snails  (Fig.  12).  Research  into  the  link  between  bil-­‐‑  
  harzia  infections  and  higher  rates  of  HIV  contrac-­‐‑  
    ttiioonn    wwiitthhiinn    llaakkeessiiddee    ccoommmmuunniittiieess..
Fig.  12    Bulinus  nyassanus,  Bilharzia  vector  snail
•  Malaria:  Distribution  of  mosquito  nets  to              
  orphaned  and  vulnerable  children  and  peer-­‐‑            
  based  malaria  prevention  education  in  con-­‐‑                        
  junction  with  the  Chembe  Water  Project  and        
  Sekanawo  AIDS  Network  Organization.  
Fig.  13    Melanoides,  non-­vector  snail
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