The priorities for the conservation effort at Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve are described in PAW’s business plan. The plan attempts to address the major problems threatening survival of the habitat within the Wildlife Reserve;  i.e. encroaching agricultural activities, harvesting of trees, high frequency of runaway fires, potential threatening invader plants and not least poaching.

The conservation priorities for Mwabvi are as follows: -

1. Soil Retention: Soil is the foundation for all ecological aspects (flora and fauna) and cannot be replaced once lost.

2. Vegetation: Trees and shrubs are the second most important priority, since it could take up to 200 years to establish a healthy, balanced system if this has been destroyed/damaged.

3. Vegetation: Grasses are less of a problem than the woody component and a deteriorated grass stratum could take up to 15 years to replace, depending on the species composition and basal cover.

4. Endangered species: Although these species should be protected, endangered species can only be maintained in a healthy ecological system and once the above priorities are taken care of. Priority here is the Electrified Fence, surrounding the WR.

5. Reintroduction of game: Although this is more easily achievable than the floral component, it is a lower priority, since it can be done quickly and in a short period of time (2 years), whereas the abovementioned components take much longer to re-establish once destroyed/damaged.

PAW is privileged to be based and work in some of the planet’s most pristine, delicate and valuable areas. We therefore have a duty to ensure that our activities do not impact on the land and its inhabitants – and in fact protect them. To create a long-term sustainable model, we also try to ensure that the skills and material benefits accrue to the adjacent communities, inspiring them to nurture and protect the land on which they live as well as Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve.

We at PAW are driven to ensure that whatever we do never compromises the integrity of the reserves and that all our actions add value to, enhance and protect this wonderful park. One of our core beliefs is that rural villagers and communities who live in, or border on, Mwabvi have key conservation roles and undeniable rights. In the next fifty years, these communities will control the destiny of wild places and wildlife and it is vital that they are brought into mainstream conservation and tourism now, to ensure that the future of their communities and the region’s fauna and flora is sustainable. One of the challenges we face is to form interactions with the local people that help create an ethic of land stewardship and conservation practice for present and future generations.

Wherever possible, we have involved the neighboring communities in wealth generation through tourism, the volunteer programme, ownership, development of skills, training opportunities and the decision-making process. All of which has created ongoing employment for local people with the prospect of further opportunities in the future. If they are included in the revenue streams flowing from wildlife and tourism, there is no better incentive for rural people to protect the land and to become the park’s best custodians. It’s a win-win situation when communities are directly involved in the benefits of wildlife and in the protection of their environment.

We invest enormous amounts of time and effort into achieving this vision. Much of the work goes on behind the scenes, is tough and unglamorous, but it is crucial if we are to ensure that communities prosper while species and habitats are protected for generations to come.

With this goal in mind, we launched the volunteer programme, the education and outreach arm of the company. The projects deal with the needs of existing wildlife populations, seek solutions to save endangered species and provide education and training for local people and their communities.

Malawi has formidable environmental challenges, with a growing population (which is very poor and largely rural) relying heavily on the basic natural resources of soil, trees and water. Under such circumstances it is our duty as a conservation company working in the country’s wilderness areas, to have a sound, focused and realistic environmental philosophy.

We strive to make a difference to both those who work for us and for those who live in and around the area in which we operate. The only way to achieve this is through creating tangible benefits that will inspire the local community to preserve the wildlife and environment in the area.