National Wildlife Policy.

The National Wildlife Policy is a sectoral framework to guide all stakeholders in the wildlife conservation sector - including Government institutions, the private sector, local communities, development partners, civil society, and others - in the sustainable conservation and development of wildlife resources to support national socio-economic growth. The Policy reaffirms the Government’s commitment to combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade, addressing human-wildlife conflict, preventing encroachment into protected areas, and strengthening infrastructure for ecotourism and wildlife management. It also promotes research, conservation education, and collaborative partnerships with local communities and other stakeholders in wildlife conservation and management. Through this Policy, the Government is committed to safeguarding Malawi’s wildlife resources as a national heritage and a driver of socio-economic development, and calls upon all stakeholders to work together in advancing this shared conservation mission. The specific objectives of the document are (i) reduce illegal wildlife use; (ii) reduce human-wildlife conflict; (iii) raise awareness and enhance stakeholder participation in wildlife conservation and management; (iv) improve and develop protected area infrastructure; (v) promote private sector and community involvement in wildlife conservation and management; (vi) promote wildlife research and monitoring; (vii) minimize effects of climate change on wildlife and PA boundary communities; (viii) mainstream gender and HIV/AIDS in wildlife conservation and management. Additionally, the Government recognizes the importance of international cooperation in the effective conservation and management of wildlife resources. It is therefore committed to actively participating in international treaties, protocols, and conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the SADC Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement, and the Malawi–Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Treaty, which promote collaboration on transboundary conservation.
The Policy establishes 5 key priority areas to ensure effective conservation and sustainable management of wildlife resources. Priority Area 1 focuses on conserving, managing, and restoring wildlife both inside and outside protected areas by protecting ecosystems and endangered species, addressing threats such as poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and weak institutional capacity, and strengthening law enforcement, community participation, and sustainable use. Priority Area 2 promotes community involvement and environmental education through collaborative management, benefit sharing, awareness creation, and strengthened institutions, including integration of conservation into education systems and promotion of ecotourism. Priority Area 3 enhances wildlife research and monitoring by improving scientific capacity, data systems, collaboration, and dissemination of research to support evidence-based decision-making. Priority Area 4 focuses on developing and maintaining protected area infrastructure to improve conservation, tourism, and enforcement through better facilities, partnerships, and resource mobilization. Priority Area 5 addresses cross-cutting issues such as gender inequality, HIV and AIDS, and climate change by promoting inclusion, awareness, and adaptation measures in conservation efforts.