Trees in Malawi are disappearing at rate of knots, faster than most anywhere else in Africa. Sometimes it is for firewood (or charcoal), sometimes illegal logging/poaching organised on an industrial scale by Chinese or Mozambicans (on trial this week, verdict due tomorrow), and sometimes small scale timber. This is on my route to work and is absolutely typical; there were three good-looking trees which were brought down by a bunch of men and sawn into planks. (Click to enlarge picture)
I am impressed by their skill and ingenuity but the environmental impact, both locally and nationally, is horrendous and affects soil quality, water availability, air quality and even electricity supply.
