Bangweulu Wetlands projects to improve locals welfare

By VIOLET MENGO

11/06/2011

THE Bangweulu Wetlands Projects, a partnership of the community, Government and the African Parks, is improving living standards in the Bangweulu plains through sustainable management of the game management area.

The project covers six chiefdoms, namely Senior Chief Kopa, Kabinga, Chiundaponde, Chitambo, Nsamba and Chief Bwalya Mponda.

The project's goal is to make Zambia a tourism destination of choice through the national Protected Areas System. Project co-ordinator Craig Reid said the aim of the project is to find sustainable means of financial resources for locals, which will translate into better living conditions.

Mr Reid said by working with the community and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which is the lead organisation, the Bangweulu Wetlands project has built bridges, staff houses and has contributed to improving the quality of health.

Mr Reid said the Bangweulu plains hold one of the largest Black Lechwes in the world and if well managed would help to improve tourism in the country. The project is a partnership of the community, Government and private sector. I

ts emphasis has been infrastructure development and so far, houses for all its staff have been built, some bridges have been repaired and support to health and education in the Bangweulu Wetlands has been enhanced.

"We still need to do a lot of sensitisation so that the community can fully accept and become more aware of their benefits," he said.

District commissioner Malama Sokoni said locals should exercise patience with their expectations from the project because it is a long-term project whose benefits will spill over to other sectors of the economy.

"My appeal to communities is to exercise patience as this project gets rooted. We have an opportunity to expand the tourism sector because of the Black Lechwe, which the project is trying to promote, so we have to give them time to do this work," he said.

Mr Sokoni said the Bangweulu Wetlands project is trying to improve and protect wildlife for the good of communities and contribute to growth in other sectors of the economy, including road rehabilitation, health and education infrastructure development.

Mr Sokoni also said the project has already created employment for some community members.

ENDS