Conserving Forest and Freshwater Resources for Livelihood Improvement within the Headwaters of the Kafue River Basin, Zambia
Case Study C0259
[edit]
| Date | September 2006 |
| Agency | WWF SARPO |
| Donor/support agency | Government of the Netherlands WWF International |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Zambia |
| Locality | Kafue River Basin, Zambia |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Protect and restore woodland and freshwater ecosystems of the Kafue River Basin |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improve local livelihoods |
Summary
The headwaters of the Kafue river are located within the Northwestern and Copperbelt Provinces of Zambia. The river and its habitats are home to over 400 species of birds, rare mammals, over ten endemic species of fish, unique floodplain, riparian, and wetland vegetation. Furthermore, parts of the river basin, the Kafue Flats, has been declared a Ramsar site. Yet the river’s vital attributes are increasingly coming under siege from the changes taking place in the headwaters where erosion, deforestation, pollution, and other unsustainable natural resources utilisation strategies are affecting the quantity and quality of the Kafue’s stream flow.
Conserving Forest and Freshwater Resources for Livelihood Improvement within the Headwaters of the Kafue River Basin is a project financed by the Netherland's Government through WWF International, and implemented by WWF-SARPO, the Southern Africa Regional Programme Office based in Harare. The general goal of this project is to improve local livelihoods through integrated forest, water and land management in the headwaters of the Kafue Basin, Zambia. More secific project's goals are: i) reducing poverty in rural communities by safeguarding and restoring the quality and quantity of woodlands and freshwater ecosystem goods and services that are essential for local people’s livelihoods; ii) establishing and/or strengthening civil society organisations to more effectively participate in the management of the woodland and freshwater ecosystems and influence local, national and international policies and planning processes; iii) improving policies and planning to provide incentives for equitable and sustainable development.
Conservation impact
This project has so far achieved positive results in the protection and restoration of the Kafue River Basin ecosystem.
Poverty reduction impact
Livelihood opportunities and general welfare of the local communities have improved.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Sustainable Use
Reference 1
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/tmfzambiajune05.pdf
Related records above this one:
- WWF International (Organisation O0115)