BY KATE

NAME: Lake Malawi National Park

LOCATION: On and around Nankumba Peninsula at the southern end of Lake Malawi. Includes Boadzulu, Maleri and ten other offshore islands, Mwenya and Nkhudzi Hills, Nkhudzi Spit, and an aquatic zone extending 100m offshore. Lies in Mangochi District of the Southern Region of Malawi, and Salima District of the Central Region. 14°02'S, 34°53'E

AREA: 9,400ha

CLIMATE: Mean annual temperature is 22.7°C. Annual rainfall averages 766mm, but is very variable.

VEGITATION: Originally dense wood, now a lot of shrubby vegetation.

FAUNA: Lake Malawi contains the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world. Mammals include hippopotamus, leopard, greater kudu, bushbuck, zebra, klipspringer, impala, grey duiker, chacma baboon, vervet monkey, bush pig and occasional elephant (reported as coming down to the lake between the Mwemya and Nkhudzi Hills). The varied birdlife includes fish eagle along the shoreline. The islands, especially Mumbo and Boadzulu, are important nesting areas for several thousand white-breasted cormorants. Reptiles include crocodile and abundant water monitor lizards on Boadzulu Island.

LOCALS: The park has been zoned so that traditional fishing methods aimed at catching migratory fish are permitted in limited areas, although in most of the park the resident fish are completely protected. Some 16,000 people make a living from the Lake and 40,000 tonnes of fish are taken annually for local consumption.

VISITORS AND PRESSURES: There is some tourist development within the boundaries. Several small hotels are planned which will be designed to blend in with the environment. The recreation site at Cape Maclear is heavily used and includes a resthouse, bar, caravan and camping site.

CONSERVATION VALUE: Lake Malawi National Park comprises the only lacustrine park in Africa, protecting several hundred species of fish, most of which are endemic. Lake Malawi's importance in the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands.

CONSERVATION: There are plans to plant trees in a 1,200ha section in the south of the peninsula to supply fuelwood and poles to local people. A managed fishing zone is to be established off the mainland incorporating some islands within the park, but trawling will be prohibited. Other fishing methods such as gill netting, long line and trapping are prohibited within the 100m aquatic zone. Conservation zones are proposed around the park. The management plan details four zones within the park: special zone, wilderness zone, natural zone and general zone. Most of the terrestrial area is in the natural or wilderness zones and the lacustrine area is in the special zone. A forestry nursery has been started in the park to begin reforestation of the peninsula. The goal is to plant 30,000 seedlings annually both in the park and in nearby village enclaves for future firewood and building purposes. Reforestation of the peninsula is a critical element in projection of the water quality. A small demonstration plot adjacent to junior staff housing is expected to provide fuelwood to staff members. The World Wide Fund for Nature sponsored the development of an environmental education complex, located within the park boundaries at Cape Maclear. The initial complex comprised an environmental interpretation centre, an aquarium, and a research library/conference area, and was operational in 1990. Additional development have included a youth hostel and glass-bottomed boat for aquatic interpretation. The centre aims to educate local people, as well as international visitors. Exhibits range from the formation of the rift valley to the historical and cultural heritage, the creation of the park, designation as a World Heritage site, and the importance of protecting the resource.

MANAGEMENT CONTSTRAINTS: Although there are no human settlements within the boundaries much of the lakeshore is heavily populated. Villages on the peninsula (population of about 5,400 in 1977) are cut off between the park and the lake and local people are dependent on fishing for a livelihood as the soil is poor and crop failure frequency is about 50%. The brightly-coloured 'mbuna' provide a substantial export trade to collectors. Clearing of timber for building, firewood and cultivation has increased (particularly on Nankoma Island, part of Mumbo Island, around Chembe village and the Mwenya and Nkhudzi Hills). Unsightly and unplanned visitor shacks at Cape Maclear will be removed when a new lodge is built. The lake is polluted by powerboats at Cape Maclear. Because of the limnological aspects of the lake, should it be contaminated, the renewal time would be in the order of 1,700 years. The size ofwater area of the park is only 700ha (0.04% of total lake area) and it is recognised that the integrity of the park can only be ensured by the proper management of the whole lake.