For centuries the Lozi people have been living in the Liuwa Plain landscape. Today, their deep-rooted connection to the land is strengthened by the partnerships created to work together in protecting this iconic heritage.
The story of Liuwa Plain National Park is about a historic relationship between people and wildlife. In the 19th century, King Lubosi Lewanika of Barotseland declared his people the guardians of the plains, and today that birthright continues. Liuwa is now home to some 12,000 people living within the boundaries of the national park, a coexistence that, while challenging, demonstrates how people and nature can both benefit from a shared landscape.
Over the past 20 years since the Zambian Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) partnered with African Parks to manage the landscape, Liuwa Plain has become a wildlife stronghold as previously depleted animal populations have been restored, ensuring healthy ecosystems that support both people and wildlife. Lion numbers have increased from just one lioness – “Lady Liuwa” – to a healthy population regularly producing cubs; the wildebeest migration is the second largest in Africa; and hyaena, cheetah and wild dog are thriving. At the same time, the livelihoods of those that live alongside Liuwa’s wildlife have been enhanced through sustainable enterprises, agriculture and education.
Traditional Fishing
Using age-old traditional fishing techniques comprising nets, fish traps and spears in rivers and pans, the Lozi people have continued to use Liuwa’s waters as a source of vital protein and income. Park management supports these traditional fishing practices by ensuring sustainable harvesting, as well as helping with income-generating initiatives by providing a fish-drying facility and a vehicle to transport the dried fish to local and regional markets.
In keeping with traditional protocols, the Silalo Indunas (area chiefs) regulate when and where people may fish, with families returning annually to the pans allocated to them years before. To do this, 14-day permits are issued to community members, allowing families access to these pans in the park, while ensuring the pools are sustainably fished. In this way, those legally entitled to fish in certain pools are not impacted by illegal activities and continue to have access that supports ongoing availability of fish stocks.
Creating Markets
The park has become a major supporter of a number of sustainable livelihood initiatives. Wamunyima Aongola, Liuwa’s Community Development Facilitator, leads one such project: to train beekeepers in sustainable honey farming methods, thus allowing the farmers to harvest honey without negatively impacting the bees or the trees. Provided with top-bar hives and protective suits, local beekeepers are now using this “bee knowledge” and seeing the benefits it provides. Once harvested, the honey is sold to African Parks before it is taken to the honey processing plant where the comb is drained naturally to produce a pure, raw honey of very high quality. It is then bottled, marketed and sold.
“From hive to market, all is accomplished by the people of Liuwa, resulting in a positive economic impact,” says Wamunyima.
Dried mango production, using mangoes that grow prolifically in the region, is becoming another promising initiative. The mangoes are bought from local farmers, dried and processed, before being sold locally and nationally, providing communities with an extra source of income.
Terence Sikapizye, Liuwa’s former manager of Sustainable Projects Development, points out: “There are a lot of mangoes grown in and around Liuwa, and for a long time, most were going to waste. People just plucked them from the trees, ate them or sold them cheaply. Another thing is that in the towns around Liuwa, there are no industries that are processing raw materials. So this is the first kind of an industry that is processing a local raw material like mango into a finished product.”
Investing in the Future
There is a strong belief in Liuwa that the young people are the future. Conservation Clubs, which have been set up through the Liuwa Environmental Education Programme, foster an awareness for nature conservation among the youth. Weekly lessons are hosted where young people learn about the importance and benefits of conserving biodiversity. The clubs also provide educational materials and organise regular field trips in the park.
But the clubs’ impact extends beyond the classroom. Headteacher Earnest Sandala of Mishulundu says: “We are seeing the children implement what they have learnt. On open days, or at celebrations, the Conservation Club members delight in educating the people about not harming the environment, like not cutting down or burning the trees, how to use better fishing methods and so on.”
Managing Coexistence
When wildlife and communities live in close proximity, there are inevitable challenges that need carefully thought-out solutions. “Where there is human-wildlife interface,” says Induna (area chief) Mundandwe, “there is always that conflict. We cannot avoid it. However, it has to be managed. And African Parks has brought in interventions.”
Josephat Sitali, cattle owner in the village of Sumbo, agrees that this is the way it has always been: “We have grown up together with the wild animals, like our forefathers,” he says. The animals are “more like our children. They are like flowers in Liuwa. If these animals were removed, then Liuwa would be destroyed, so it is important that they are looked after.”
However, loss of livestock to predators does occur at times and can affect the livelihoods of families. To lessen the impact of these losses, the Human-Wildlife Mitigation Fund has been set up, using funds raised through annual contributions from the park and participating farmers’ subscription fees. This has been a vital step in providing farmers with tools such as solar lamps and alarms to deter predators as well as receiving a financial payout for livestock fatalities.
“Now there is so much light that there isn’t one animal footprint around my kraal,” says Josephat of the effective solar lights that alert him to predators.
Maintaining Relationships
Deon Joubert, Liuwa Plain park manager, states how community involvement is essential for successful conservation. “By consulting with the local leaders and residents, we learn from them how they have approached this in the past and then where we can support them and build on it for the benefit of the landscape and all those who rely on it. This transparent approach builds trust and ensures that everyone's needs are considered.”
For the past 20 years, this ongoing engagement and strong partnership between the BRE, DNPW (Department of National Parks and Wildlife), the local communities and African Parks has been key to Liuwa’s successes. Today Liuwa’s legacy continues, providing a place where both people and wildlife can thrive in a shared landscape.
08 October 2024 — Ilana Stein, African Parks