Eco-Conscious Generation: Wesm Deepens Environmental Education on Mount Mulanje!

Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi, Managing Editor | Sele Media Malawi.

The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Wesm) has intensified efforts to cultivate environmental stewardship among young learners through hands-on conservation education activities on the iconic Mount Mulanje, reinforcing growing national momentum toward biodiversity protection and sustainable community engagement.

Speaking at the commencement of an environmental education expedition to Thuchira Hut on Mount Mulanje, Wesm Mulanje Education Coordinator Clement Sellenje said the organisation remains committed to nurturing an eco-conscious generation capable of safeguarding Malawi’s fragile ecosystems for future generations.

The educational trip brought together learners from Kambenje and Namadidi primary schools, offering pupils an immersive experience in one of Malawi’s most ecologically significant landscapes. The initiative forms part of broader environmental awareness programmes designed to strengthen conservation values among children living in communities surrounding the mountain.

According to Sellenje, exposing learners directly to the natural environment allows them to appreciate the ecological importance of Mount Mulanje while encouraging practical participation in environmental conservation activities within their respective communities.

“The trip is meant to actively engage them in understanding and appreciating the natural beauty of the mountain. This will ignite the zeal to conserve the environment and biodiversity on the mountain and in their communities,” said Sellenje.

Mount Mulanje, one of Malawi’s most celebrated natural landmarks, was officially accorded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in July 2025, a designation widely viewed as a major milestone in the country’s environmental conservation history.

The recognition elevated the mountain’s international conservation profile and underscored its ecological, geological, and cultural significance. Environmental experts have since stressed the importance of strengthening local community participation in conservation efforts to ensure the long-term protection of the mountain’s biodiversity and water catchment systems.

Located in southern Malawi, Mount Mulanje is home to unique plant species, endemic wildlife, waterfalls, rivers, and forest ecosystems that support both ecological balance and local livelihoods. The massif also serves as a crucial water source for thousands of people in surrounding districts.

Environmental conservation advocates argue that engaging young people through outdoor educational experiences is critical in addressing growing environmental challenges such as deforestation, illegal logging, soil erosion, unsustainable farming practices, and climate change impacts.

For many learners participating in the programme, the excursion represented more than a school activity. It provided a rare opportunity to directly connect with nature and better understand the responsibility communities share in protecting Malawi’s environmental heritage.

One of the participating learners from Kambenje Primary School, Grace Namakasi, described the initiative as an important platform for empowering children to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts.

“This initiative gives us a chance to start participating in environmental conservation activities and understand why we must protect nature,” she said.

Education and conservation specialists have increasingly emphasized experiential learning as one of the most effective approaches to environmental education. By physically interacting with ecosystems rather than relying solely on classroom instruction, learners are often able to develop stronger emotional and intellectual connections to environmental protection.

Wesm’s educational outreach programme aligns with broader global sustainability goals aimed at increasing environmental literacy among young people. Across Africa and beyond, conservation organisations have continued investing in youth-focused environmental programmes to build future leadership in climate resilience and biodiversity preservation.

In Malawi, environmental degradation remains a growing concern, particularly in forested and mountainous regions where pressure from population growth, agricultural expansion, charcoal production, and illegal resource extraction continues to threaten natural habitats.

Mount Mulanje itself has historically faced multiple environmental pressures, including illegal cedar harvesting, encroachment, bush fires, and unsustainable land use practices. Conservation stakeholders believe that long-term environmental protection efforts will depend heavily on strengthening awareness among local communities, especially younger generations.

The UNESCO World Heritage designation is expected to attract greater international attention, conservation funding, tourism opportunities, and ecological research to the area. However, environmental experts caution that recognition alone cannot guarantee protection without sustained community involvement and effective environmental governance.

Observers note that educational programmes like the one facilitated by Wesm could play a significant role in fostering grassroots environmental responsibility. By targeting primary school learners, the organisation is helping shape attitudes and behaviours at an early stage, potentially influencing future community conservation practices.

Teachers accompanying the learners during the expedition also highlighted the importance of integrating environmental awareness into educational activities outside traditional classroom settings.

Several educators noted that many rural learners grow up close to natural ecosystems yet often lack structured opportunities to understand the scientific and ecological importance of the environments surrounding them. Field-based programmes therefore bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical environmental appreciation.

The educational hike to Thuchira Hut also exposed learners to the physical beauty and ecological diversity of the mountain, including indigenous vegetation, streams, and scenic landscapes that continue to make Mount Mulanje one of Malawi’s most treasured ecological assets.

Environmental tourism experts believe that responsible eco-tourism and educational visits can contribute positively to conservation by generating awareness while supporting sustainable local economic opportunities.

In recent years, Malawi has intensified efforts to promote environmental sustainability amid increasing climate-related challenges affecting agriculture, water resources, and rural livelihoods. Government agencies, conservation organisations, traditional leaders, and development partners have all called for stronger public participation in conservation activities.

The role of children and young people in environmental advocacy has become particularly significant as climate change discussions increasingly focus on intergenerational responsibility and long-term sustainability.

Across the world, schools are increasingly incorporating environmental clubs, tree-planting activities, biodiversity education, and climate awareness campaigns into educational programmes. Malawi has similarly witnessed growing interest in environmental education initiatives, especially in districts vulnerable to environmental degradation.

For communities surrounding Mount Mulanje, protecting the mountain carries both environmental and socio-economic importance. Beyond biodiversity conservation, the mountain supports water systems essential for domestic use, agriculture, hydroelectric generation, and ecosystem stability.

Experts warn that continued environmental degradation could have far-reaching consequences for local livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience in southern Malawi. As a result, conservation education is increasingly being viewed not merely as an academic exercise but as a strategic investment in sustainable development.

Wesm’s continued engagement with schools reflects a broader understanding that conservation efforts are most effective when local communities are actively involved and adequately informed.

The organisation has long been involved in environmental awareness campaigns, biodiversity conservation projects, and educational outreach programmes across Malawi. Its initiatives often focus on encouraging sustainable environmental practices while strengthening public understanding of conservation challenges.

The latest Mount Mulanje educational expedition comes at a time when Malawi is receiving renewed international recognition for its natural heritage. Conservationists hope the UNESCO World Heritage status will strengthen policy attention toward environmental protection while encouraging more investment in ecological preservation initiatives.

International conservation agencies and researchers have frequently identified Mount Mulanje as one of southern Africa’s important biodiversity hotspots due to its unique ecosystems and endemic species. Environmental scientists have also highlighted the mountain’s vulnerability to changing climate conditions and human activity.

As Malawi continues balancing development needs with environmental sustainability, initiatives focused on environmental literacy among young people are likely to become increasingly important.

By introducing learners to conservation values through direct environmental engagement, Wesm and partner schools are helping lay the foundation for a more environmentally conscious society capable of protecting Malawi’s ecological treasures for generations to come.

The educational journey to Thuchira Hut ultimately represented more than a mountain excursion. It symbolized a growing national effort to empower young Malawians with the knowledge, awareness, and responsibility needed to preserve the country’s environmental heritage amid mounting ecological challenges.

Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM)
UNESCO Malawi Office
The Nation Malawi
Nyasa Times