Ntchisi forest might be disappearing, but not without a fight

World Today

One of southern Africa’s last rainforests is under threat from hundreds of illegal loggers.

The forest in Malawi is in danger of disappearing. But an unusual patrol unit has stepped forward to try to save it. CCTV’s Dan Ashby reports.

74-year-old Eston Ngoza, it is his voluntary patrol that stands in the way of hundreds of illegal tree-cutters.

Eston has a team of 16 people on route to patrol the forest during daylight.

They confront tree-cutters who are looking for firewood and most loggers do stop when asked.

But it can be dangerous: some loggers respond by threatening them. And yet, the patrol unit is determined to stop them.

The local council may also give Eston police protection and support for a night patrol. And although poverty is pushing hundreds to destroy Malawi’s last rainforest.