WWF's Approved Projects
in Zambia

WWF in Zambia

Approximately twice the size of the United Kingdom, Zambia is situated in the southern part of the African continent. Woodlands and forests cover 80 per cent of the country, making it highly significant from the biological point of view. A further six per cent of Zambia is made up of vast wetlands and swamp forests with their specialized aquatic and swamp vegetation. Zambia is home to 4,600 plant species, of which 200 are endemic.

Its animal wealth is no less diverse. The varied wildlife includes the elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and three sub-species of lechwe. The Kafue (Kobus leche kafuensis) and black lechwe(K.l. smithemani), Cookson's wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus cooksoni) and Thornicroft's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti) are, in fact, unique to Zambia. Over 700 species of birds, including the rare and threatened shoebill, wattled crane, slaty egret and black-cheeked lovebird are also found here.

Pressures of change are, however, threatening these biological treasures. Over 90 per cent of Zambia's energy is derived from charcoal and wood, both forest products. Expanding human settlements, shifting agriculture and slash-and-burn farming are having their effect too. And overstocking and overgrazing of land have exacerbated the problem.

Adding to the problem is rapid industrialization. Although water remains one of Zambia's most important natural resource--the country receives 700-1,500 mm of rainfall annually--industrial waste from the large mining sector is affecting the country's ground and river-water systems. These are already being infiltrated by insecticides used in tsetse fly eradication programmes. At the same time, Zambia's wetland ecosystem, which relies on regular flooding, is being threatened by hydroelectric power stations, irrigation and dam construction.

Already falling under the endangered category are the black rhinoceros, elephant, wild dog, cheetah, lechwe, leopard, and Nile and slender-snouted crocodiles. Poaching has reduced Zambia's rhino population by 90 per cent and its elephants by 60 per cent in the past 15 years. Habitat destruction (especially deforestation), unregulated hunting and fishing are other threats to the country's fauna.

Despite the growing threat to its ecology, only 30.6 per cent of Zambia's land area has been declared a protected region, and there are 52 protected area sites in all.

WWF began its conservation efforts in the country in 1962. By 1990, the organization had provided support to 20 Zambian conservation projects, amounting to Sfr 3.9 million. In 1989, Zambia was declared a priority country in WWF's Africa Programme, and about a year later, WWF signed an official agreement with the government. WWF opened its Country Office in Zambia in 1991. It has so far completed 18 projects in the country and is at present involved in 10 other operations. In 1966, its funds helped set up the Lochinvar National Park, home of the Kafue lechwe. Since the mid-'70s, the organization has been funding the Wildlife Conservation Society of Zambia's environmental education programmes. This includes a network of primary and secondary school conservation clubs and a weekly environment programme, which is one of the most popular children's shows in and around the country.

The early '80s saw the launch of the Administrative Management Design for Game Management Areas (ADMADE), a highly successful nationwide conservation pogramme. It involves local communities in conservation and helps them financially by reinvesting money raised from park entry and safari fees in community development and local wildlife management. ADMADE has helped reduce poaching ten-fold in areas where projects are well-established.

WWF also played a key role in the setting up of the Luangwa Integrated Resource Development Project. The people living on the border of the South Luangwa National Park are encouraged to exploit its natural resources on a sustainable level. The project focuses on rural development schemes such as forestry, agriculture, and fisheries programmes.

In 1989, the organization funded a US $2.27 million debt-for-nature agreement with the Zambian Central Bank. This has helped the country save important wetlands and provide institutional support to its National Parks and Wildlife Service.


Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature