Parliament Pledges Support for Mulanje Mountain Protection

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change, Tiaone Hendry, has pledged Parliament’s support towards the protection of Malawi’s natural resources amid rising environmental degradation.

Hendry made the remarks in Mulanje District during a tour of the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT), where she emphasised the need to safeguard Mulanje Mountain, describing it as a critical biodiversity hotspot and an important water catchment area for thousands of households in the Southern Region.

“Environmental degradation is a serious concern, and as Parliament, we will ensure that natural resources and the environment are properly taken care of,” Hendry said.

She urged MMCT to continue strengthening conservation efforts, noting that Mulanje Mountain remains one of Malawi’s leading tourist attractions and a key source of foreign exchange, which the country urgently needs amid economic challenges.

Hendry, who is also the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Member of Parliament for Phalombe South, said her position in Parliament places her in a strong position to advocate for stronger environmental protection laws and tighter oversight of conservation programmes, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas such as Mulanje Mountain.

MMCT Director Carlo Bruce welcomed the parliamentary visit, saying it created an important platform for frank engagement on conservation challenges affecting the mountain.

“This visit has given us an opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers and explain the real challenges we are facing on the ground, including illegal logging, encroachment and the impacts of climate change,” Bruce said.

He said sustained political support is critical if conservation efforts on Mulanje Mountain are to succeed.

“When Parliament takes interest in what is happening here, it sends a strong message that protecting Mulanje Mountain is a national priority, not just a local issue,” Bruce said.

Bruce added that Mulanje Mountain plays a vital role in supporting livelihoods beyond Mulanje District.

“The mountain is a major water catchment that feeds rivers supporting agriculture, hydropower generation and domestic water supply across several districts. Its degradation would have far-reaching consequences for the country,” he said.

Mulanje Mountain was declared a forest reserve by the British colonial administration in 1927, a move that laid the foundation for its long-term protection. It has since gained international recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, underscoring its ecological, historical and global conservation significance.