Malawi's rate of annual deforestation and land degradation is amongst the worst in the world and has resulted in serious soil erosion and the pollution of rivers,streams and lakes as aresult of sedimentation and siltation.This environmental degradation threatens the biodiversity,land and people of Malawi.The percentage of urban residents in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise from 39.7 to 53.5% between 2005 and 2030.This will bring new and severe challenges for assuring the protection of urban biodiversity sites and soils and combating urban poverty and deprivation.In Malawi's capital city,Lilongwe about 24.6 per cent of residents live below the nationally assesed poverty line and the city typifies the need for a sustainable livelihood and resource approach to development.

There has been the direct loss of trees for the purpose of food,energy production and construction but also large scale soil erosion and pollution of the Chankhandwe,Lingadzi,Nankhaka and Lilongwe rivers which has led to a reduction in fish,poor health and even drowning incidents within the communities during sudden storms.There have also been substantial increase in the illegal dumping of domestic waste,especially in Per-urban areas.This has resulted in "communal" city forests and rivers becoming unofficial refuse dumps which has serious environmental implications for people and wildlife.