Chikangawa Forest Reserve | |
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Geography | |
Location | Northern Region, Malawi |
Coordinates | 11°49′S 33°51′E / 11.81°S 33.85°E |
Area | 1,147.8 km2 (443.2 sq mi) |
Administration | |
Status | State-managed man-made forest reserve |
Established | 1948 |
Governing body | Department of Forestry |
The Chikangawa Forest Reserve, also known as the Viphya Plantation, is a man-made forest in the South Viphya Forest Reserve in Chikangawa, Malawi.[1][2] It was established in 1948 and covers 1147.8 square kilometers. The forest is mainly composed of exotic pine trees. It is home to the Viphya Plantation, which was established in 1964 in a failed attempt to grow construction timber. The forest reserve is home to several native evergreen montane forests. The reserve was established to conserve the natural forests of the Viphya Mountains in Malawi.[3] The forest provides a habitat for various plant and animal species, and supports sustainable forest management practices.[4]