Sustainable forest management (SFM) in southern Malawi involves Indigenous communities who rely on forest resources for their livelihoods and cultural practices. A qualitative case study approach was employed to assess indigenous community participation and outcomes in SFM projects. Community-directed forest management initiatives have led to a consistent increase of at least 20% in local employment opportunities compared to traditional SFM methods. Indigenous communities play a crucial role in sustainable forest management, contributing significantly to economic development and environmental conservation. Policy recommendations include strengthening community-led SFM programmes, providing training for indigenous leaders, and integrating traditional knowledge into SFM strategies.
Chitondozwa et al. (Sun,) studied this question.