An Exploratory Study of Land Use, Management and Degradation: West Malombe Catchment, Mangochi RDP, Malawi
Welbon M. Kasweswe Mwafongo
Abstract: The study is an exploratory investigation of land use, management and degradation in West Malombe Catchment, Mangochi RDP, Malawi. The study methodology highlights the need for studying the development process through interdisciplinary research since development issues are complementary. The research findings identify a variety of land use activities and a range of choice decision factors. The study also reveals that people utilise both indigenous and conventional environmental management practices and that they are aware of the pressing environmental problems or production hazards, mainly soil erosion, drought and fuel wood scarcity. The study recommends the following measures be taken: adequate food production, maintaining sufficient supply of domestic fuel wood and disseminating land husbandry extension messages.