SUSTAINABLE LUANGWA

SECURING LUANGWA’S WATER RESOURCES FOR SHARED SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS THROUGH INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

The Luangwa River is a free-flowing river where ecosystem functions and services are largely unaffected by
changes to the fluvial connectivity allowing an unobstructed exchange of material, species and energy within
the river system and surrounding landscapes. The freshwater supports many of the most diverse, complex
and dynamic ecosystems, providing important societal and economic services. For example, floodplains are
among the most productive and diverse riverine ecosystems. In the Luangwa Catchment, which includes the
target area for the project, there are 31 National Forests (1,427,492ha), 68 Local Forests (227,178ha), 7
National Parks (1,711,971ha), 11 Game Management Areas (5,115,435) and 43 designated wetlands. The
high diversity of agricultural crops includes maize, groundnuts, cassava, cotton, millet, sorghum, tobacco and
livestock-based system. Communities practice slash and burn agriculture and use wood for fish processing
and tobacco curing. There are small hydropower power stations (Mulungushi (16MW), Lusemfwa (18MW)
and Lusiwasi (4MW). The key threats to the water resources are watershed degradation due to crop field
expansion, river siltation due to watershed degradation, intensified charcoal production as well as high
poverty levels. The area is part of globally important biodiversity assets and natural resources.

The Sustainable Luangwa project aims to ensure the long-term security of water flow and quality of the Luangwa
River and its associated downstream ecosystems and ecosystem services. The project further seeks to address
barriers to protection of the Luangwa River source through reduced forest and land degradation of the
Luangwa Upper Sub-catchment in Mafinga District for enhanced protection of water resources, biodiversity
and associated community livelihoods.

The Sustainable Luangwa project seeks to address barriers to the protection of the Luangwa River source through reduced forest loss and land degradation of the Luangwa Upper Sub-catchment in Mafinga District, for
enhanced protection of water resources, biodiversity and associated community livelihoods. The project has
three key components:1) Protected area management and establishment in the Luangwa headwaters; 2)
Community management of the upper Luangwa Sub-Catchment and 3) Knowledge management and
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

Project Categorization: Sustainable Luangwa project is classified as a category B project under the WWF
Environmental and Social Safeguards Categorization.

Objective of the ESMF: The preparation of the ESMF was done in accordance with the WWF’s ESSF in order
to identify and manage the environmental and social impact associated with Sustainable Luangwa Project
activities. The framework outlines the principles, procedures, and mitigation measures for addressing
environmental and social impact associated with the project, in accordance with the laws and regulations of
Zambia and WWF SIPP. The ESMF is necessary to set out procedures for addressing potential adverse
environmental and social impact that may occur during the implementation of project activities

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Environmental And Social Management Framework And Process Framework_Final

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Annex 15B – Stakeholder Engagement Plan

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