CHIKWAWA DISTRICT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Malawi Government CHIKWAWA DISTRICT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AUGUST 2020 Chikwawa District Council i CHIKWAWA DISTRICT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... xi FOREWORD ......................................................................................................... xiii PREFACE ............................................................................................................... xiv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... xv ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...................................................................... xvi 1 Introduction and Background .............................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................1 1.2 Content and Life Span of the Plan .................................................................1 1.3 Scope and Objectives of the Plan ..................................................................1 1.4 Planning Process and Consultations .............................................................. 2 1.5 Background Studies...................................................................................... 3 2 Geography ........................................................................................................ 4 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Location and Size ........................................................................................ 4 2.3 Topography and Drainage ........................................................................... 6 2.3.1 Topography .......................................................................................................... 6 2.3.2 Drainage ............................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................ 6 2.5 Climate ...................................................................................................... 12 2.5.1 Rainfall ............................................................................................................... 12 2.5.2 Temperatures ...................................................................................................... 13 2.6 Climate and Climate Change ....................................................................... 15 2.7 Vegetation ................................................................................................. 15 3 Existing Policy and Legal Framework ................................................................. 18 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 18 3.2 International Policy Framework .................................................................. 18 3.2.1 Sustainable Development Goals, 2015 ............................................................... 18 3.2.2 Guiding Principles on Large Scale Land Based Investments in Africa ............. 18 3.3 National Legal and Policy Framework ......................................................... 18 3.3.1 The Malawi Constitution .................................................................................... 18 3.3.2 The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III) ........................... 18 3.3.3 The National Physical Development Plan .......................................................... 19 i CHIKWAWA DISTRICT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 3.3.4 The Physical Planning Act 2016 ........................................................................ 20 3.3.5 The National Land Policy, 2002 ......................................................................... 20 3.3.6 National Decentralization Policy, 1998 .............................................................. 20 3.3.7 National Environmental Policy, 2004 ................................................................ 20 3.3.8 Malawi National Disaster Risk Management Policy, 2016 ............................... 21 3.3.9 National Wildlife Policy, 2000 ........................................................................... 21 3.3.10 National Housing Policy, 2018 .......................................................................... 21 3.3.11 National Agriculture Policy, 2016 ...................................................................... 21 3.3.12 National Climate Change Management Policy, 2016 ........................................ 21 3.3.13 The National Urban Policy, (NUP) 2019 ........................................................... 21 3.3.14 The Water Policy, 2007 ...................................................................................... 22 3.3.15 National Gender Policy, 2011 ............................................................................ 22 3.3.16 Land Resources Management Policy and Strategy, 2000 .................................. 22 3.4 Existing Major Development Programmes/Projects ..................................... 22 3.4.1 Shire Valley Transformation Programme .......................................................... 22 3.4.2 Shire River Basin Management Project ............................................................. 22 3.4.3 Existing Urban Structure Plans .......................................................................... 23 4 Natural Resources and Economic Activities ....................................................... 24 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 24 4.2 Fauna and Flora ........................................................................................ 24 4.2.1 Forestry ............................................................................................................... 24 4.2.2 Production Forests /Tree Plantation ................................................................... 24 4.2.3 Forestry Services ................................................................................................ 25 4.2.4 Key Issues affecting Forestry ............................................................................. 26 4.2.5 Majete Wildlife Reserve ..................................................................................... 26 4.2.6 Lengwe National Park ........................................................................................ 27 4.2.7 Nyala National Park ........................................................................................... 27 4.2.8 Elephant Marsh ................................................................................................... 28 4.3 Agriculture ................................................................................................ 30 4.3.1 The Role of Agriculture in the District’s Economy ........................................... 30 4.3.2 Agricultural Land. .............................................................................................. 30 4.3.3 Large Scale Farming .......................................................................................... 30 4.3.4 Smallholder Agriculture ..................................................................................... 31 4.3.5 Irrigation ............................................................................................................. 36 ii CHIKWAWA DISTRICT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 4.3.6 Livestock ............................................................................................................ 38 4.3.7 Major Issues affecting Livestock Production ..................................................... 39 4.3.8 Fisheries Resources ............................................................................................ 40 4.3.9 Major Issues affecting Fish Production .............................................................. 41 4.4 Commerce and Industry. ........................................................................... 42 4.4.1 Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development. ...................... 42 4.4.2 Large Scale Businesses ...................................................................................... 43 4.4.3 Banks and Financial Lending Institutions in Chikwawa .................................... 43 4.4.4 Business Promotion Services ............................................................................. 44 4.4.5 Contribution of Small and Medium Enterprise to the Local Economy .............. 44 4.4.6 Key Issues and opportunities Affecting Business Sector Growth ...................... 44 4.5 Mining and Mineral Deposits ..................................................................... 45 4.6 Tourism .................................................................................................... 45 4.6.1 Tourism Potential ............................................................................................... 45 4.6.2 Tourism Facilities ............................................................................................... 45 4.6.3 Key Issues from Tourism Sector ........................................................................ 47 4.7 Labour and Employment ..........................................................................