Quantifying Firewood Extraction in a Protected Forest: Local Dependence and Policy Challenges in Lake Malawi National Park

Firewood continues to be the dominant energy source for rural communities across Sub-Saharan Africa, with significant implications for forest conservation, especially in protected areas. This study presents a rare quantitative assessment of firewood extraction within the Cape Maclear Peninsula (CMP) forest of Lake Malawi National Park (LMNP), a recognized World Heritage Site. Drawing on household surveys, carefully calibrated with direct measurements, we estimated an overall annual firewood collection of 11,976.34 megagrams—or 3.07 m³ per hectare each year—across 11 communities. Our findings clearly indicate strong community dependence on these protected forests, with 88% of households using firewood and 77% gathering it themselves. Even with the Resource Use Programme (RUP) established to regulate access, the firewood extraction rate per unit area significantly exceeds those documented in comparable ecosystems. The study also identified household size, reliance on biomass, and a lack of off-park alternatives as key drivers of this extraction. Our results underscore the urgent need to integrate tree planting and agroforestry initiatives into conservation policy and to encourage the adoption of improved cookstoves. Introducing alternative livelihood sources will also help ease pressure on the natural resources of LMNP. Consequently, this study offers crucial evidence to help balance biodiversity and ecosystem conservation with the energy needs of surrounding communities, demonstrating the importance of localized, data-driven strategies for protected area management.