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Mazabuka District Commissionaire praises partners on efforts to secure the Lower Kafue River Basin

Posted on 13 September 2019

Mazabuka District Commissioner Mrs Jenny Chirwa has hailed the government of Zambia through the Water Management Resources Authority (WARMA), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia, People’s Action Forum (PAF) and other stakeholders that have joined hands to ensure that the health of the Lower Kafue River Basin is protected, through efforts such as the Basin Health Report Card.

The importance of the Lower Kafue River Basin cannot be over emphasized. Almost 50% of livelihoods in Zambia depend on it for electricity, drinking water, agriculture and fishing. Due to this great importance, it needs to be protected. Over the year, WWF and partners have been conducting research to determine the health of the river, through what is known as a Basin Health Report Card. Basin report cards identify what is most important to the diverse water users in a given basin, create a common understanding of the basin’s health, and foster a shared vision for its future. Armed with information that anyone can understand, these stakeholders can then advocate for decisions that maintain or improve their freshwater resources—and all of the benefits these resources provide.

People’s Action Forum will therefore work closely with communities and local decision makers in helping them appreciate the findings and recommendations of the Lower Kafue Basin Health Report Card and how it affects them. In so doing, PAF will assist in ensuring communities play a participatory role in finding solutions to the challenges surrounding the basin and be empowered to take action.

Speaking when a team of experts from WWF Zambia and PAF paid a courtesy call on her at her office recently, the DC observed that through this partnership, communities will be more knowledgeable about the river and its role in their daily lives, as well as the impact of a healthy river basin.

“This partnership could not have come at a better time than now when the basin, which provides economic importance to the country, is facing numerous challenges. As Mazabuka DC, I would like to thank the stakeholders involved for prioritizing the input of beneficiary communities in the fight against issues such as climate change and natural resource depletion,” observed the DC.

And WWF Zambia Basin Health Monitoring Expert James Mbewe thanked Government for supporting projects aimed at assuring the health of critical river basins and improving people’s lives.

“Madam DC, as WWF Zambia, we would like to thank the Government through your able office for its relentless support to our conservation efforts. With this kind of support, we believe that communities around major natural resource endowments will be empowered sustainably,” said Mr. Mbewe.

Meanwhile, PAF Project Manager Janet Nyoni thanked WWF Zambia for prioritizing community empowerment and engagement in conservation efforts. Mrs. Chirwa observed it is through active community engagement that natural resources such as freshwater will be sustainably preserved.