It seems that, for the most part, Malawian event organisers ‘hunt’ in packs: when one introduces, say, a lake-side festival, someone will also do the same, followed by another.
But, from the look of things, Sustainable Rural Growth and Development Initiative (SRGDI) seems to be different. That is, if the Misuku Hills Arts Challenge is anything to go by.
It is only during the first week of this month that the organisation announced that it had launched the Misuku Hills Arts Challenge, an initiative aimed to raise awareness about the environmental treasure that is Misuku Hills Forest Reserve in Chitipa District.
Before the month even ends, the organisation has announced that progress has been made, as 12 artists, among them visual artists, painters, photographers and filmmakers, have expressed interest in taking part in the competition.
“Judges have identified the 12 top artists who will come up with artworks on biodiversity, cultures and tradition in Misuku. What is remaining is for us to organise a five-day tour of Misuku Hills for the 12 artists, who are expected to capture its beauty and ecological, cultural, aesthetical and economic value through paintings, sculptures, photographs and short films.
“They will then exhibit these artworks and, from the artworks, we will find winners. K1.2 million will be awarded to those whose artworks are exceptional. After that, we will upload paintings, photographs, short films and students art on Misuku Hills on SRGDI and Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife websites, Facebook, Twitter and other social media,” said Maynard Nyirenda, SRGDI Executive Director.
Nyirenda added that, apart from organising one national art exhibition on Misuku Hills, children from 10 schools around Misuku Hills are participating in a competition that aims at awakening the silent artist in them.
It is also expected that the competition organisers will display best paintings, photographs, short films on Misuku Hills at strategic places such as airports and hotels as part of the efforts to make Misuku Hills more visible than now.
Nyirenda said Misuku Hills Forest Reserve, located along the Malawi -Tanzania Border, seems to be treated as no man’s land and has consequently been left at the mercy of its own devices.
The consequences have been less pleasing.
“This area is very remote and separated from major towns and cities in Malawi. Misuku Hills are less known in Malawi and internationally. Most Malawians are not aware of unique beauty and ecological, cultural, aesthetical and economic value of Misuku Hills Forest Reserves and their unique biodiversity. Although the potential for tourism is huge, the area receives less than 100 local and international tourists.
“Little is being done to raise awareness and market Misuku Hills and there are just a few photos on websites. A visitor to Misuku Hills may not find even a single brochure on Misuku Hills. Very few individuals, companies, organisations and government departments have shown interest in investing in Misuku Hills,” Nyirenda said.
Misuku Hills are very rich in biological diversity and are one of the priority Key Biodiversity Areas in the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Investment Strategy.
According to Birdlife Data Zone, over 100 species of birds have been recorded in Misuku Hills Forest Reserve. Several pairs of Hirundo atrocaerulea are present at Wilindi in the summer months. Three forest species, Modulatrix stictigula, Andropadus masukuensis and Batis mixta occur nowhere else in Malawi as they reach their southern limits of distribution in the reserve.
In addition, the forest provides 75 percent of their alternative livelihoods outside of agricultural production or employment.
“The people of Misuku have a very rich culture and tradition and have a life connection with Misuku Hills,” Nyirenda said.
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