Zambia

Zambia is an entirely landlocked country covering an area of 752,612 km². To the north it is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Republic of Tanzania, to the west by Angola, to the south west by Namibia, to the east by Malawi and Mozambique, and to the south by Zimbabwe and Botswana. Zambia sits on a gently undulating plateau, which is between 900 and 1,500 metres above sea level. This plateau is a mix of woodland and savannah regions interspersed with lakes, rivers, hills, swamps and lush plains.

Zambia has three distinct seasons, the hot, dry season runs from September to October when temperatures range from 27 to 32 °C. The warm wet season is from November to April and the cool dry season runs from May to August when temperatures range from 16 to 27 °C. Average annual rainfall is between 508 and1, 270mm.

Zambia’s population is approximately 13,459,000 (latest census) and most of the people are African, with small Asian and European minorities. English is the official language and is widely spoken throughout the country. There are seven main vernacular languages: Nyanja, Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Luvale, Lunda and Kaonde, with more than 70 dialects spoken across the country. Lusaka is the capital city and is believed to be the fastest growing city in Central Africa. Livingstone is another main centre, the former capital of Zambia, located eight kilometres from Victoria Falls. In 1972, Zambia was declared a one party State, but reverted back to multi-party democracy in December 1990 and with general elections held in October 1991. The President is the Head of State.

Mining and quarrying account for a large proportion of Zambia’s merchandise exports and have traditionally contributed the largest proportion of the country’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Zambia is presently the world’s fourth largest producer of copper and has around 6 % of the world’s known reserves. Zambia is richly endowed with various minerals such as copper, cobalt, gold and various precious stones including amethyst, blue stones, emeralds, etc. Other contributors to the economy are industry, fishing and agriculture. Zambia’s manufacturing sector’s has continued to show signs of growth in recent years. Its contribution to GDP has averaged 26 %. Zambia’s manufactured export products include engineering products, textiles, building materials, processed foods, animal products, and leather products. Commercial fish production is approximately 70,000 tonnes per year.

The tourism sector has consistently demonstrated growth due to a rich natural heritage, including great waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and a wealth of wildlife roaming in its vast sanctuaries. The most stunning geographical feature is the Victoria Falls, on the southern border with Zimbabwe, and is one of the natural wonders of the world. Zambia has 19 national parks, and 34 game management areas, some of the highlights are Luangwa and Kafue National Parks, Lower Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls, Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Lochinvar National Park. In addition to the national parks Zambia has beach resorts on Lake Tanganyika at Kasaba, Nkamba and Ndole bays, and Lake Kariba, a man-made lake.

WWF in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

Delivering on WWF’s goal of KAZA of ‘A connected, climate resilient, economically viable conservation landscape for people and nature’ ís built on three pillars. These are to: 1) Protect KAZA’s key biodiversity assets through securing ecologically connected landscapes with diverse, healthy, resilient ecosystems; 2) Improve the governance and management of natural resources through empowered and resilient rural communities; and 3) Unlocking the economic value through a viable, sustainable regional economy supported by an environmentally sensitive regional planning.

Keeping Kafue in KAZA

Projects

Youth Empowerment

Developing smallholder strategies for fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) management in southern Africa: Examining the effectiveness of ecological control options

The project will generate knowledge on the effects of habitat diversity and crop management on FAW abundance and level of crop damage, and on impacts and current pest management strategies. This information will be communicated to policy makers and will enable the design of appropriate strategies for FAW
management.

Resource Protection Programme

By providing training, welfare and operational support, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife are empowered to conserve nature. The creation of 3 Special Anti-Poaching Units (SAPUs) and focus on intelligence led operations has helped to  increase the ability of DNPW to interdict illegal activity in the park and the surrounding areas. The formation of a "virtual fence" across Lake Itezhi Tezhi, supported by a Marine Anti-Poaching Unit, has helped limit illegal access into the park, as well as curbing unsustainable fishing practices on the lake.

Sustainable Management and Wildlife Law Enforcement of the Nyika-North Luangwa Component of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area

1) Improved livelihoods of rural households (HHs) within the project area, 2) Community participation in conservation and law enforcement initiatives strengthened, 3) An effective cross-border participatory governance structure to unite community commitment to the TFCA

COVID Support

As Above

Conserving Leopards in KAZA

1) Organise manufacturing and delivery of faux traditional garments to Lozi, 2) Conduct counts of wild cat skins at Lozi cultural gatherings and conduct survey's with attendants, 3) Produce educational video(s) highlighting the detrimental effects of the illegal skin trade & promoting the use of synthetic alternatives, 4)  Engage with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and other relevant departments at all levels, 5) Repeated camera trap surveys done at six sites across Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to monitor population trends to facilitate increased law enforcement, 6

Monitoring and Evaluation Support Programme

1) Develop the KAZA Indicator Framework, 2) Technical assistance to the KAZA Secretariat, 3) Development of the online tool, 4) Online tool maintenance, 5) Socio-economic survey planning

Development of the Zambezi-Chobe Wildlife Dispersal Area

1) Community-owned tented lodge established and run by an operator in the Simalaha Community Conservancy for the benefit of the Simalaha community,

2) Wildlife corridor secured and transboundary movement enabled

3) Additional wildlife introduced and protected in the Simalaha Community Conservancy

4) Sustainable fishing in the Upper Zambezi

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