Bangweulu Wetlands
Bangweulu means “where the water meets the sky”, a perfect description of this extraordinary protected wetland in north-eastern Zambia
Located in north-eastern Zambia, Bangweulu Wetland’s rich and diverse ecosystem forms one of Africa’s most important wetlands. This Game Management Area (GMA) is not just a life source for wildlife, such as the endemic black lechwe and hundreds of bird species, but also for the 60,000 people who live there. Bangweulu is unique in that it is a GMA and not a National Park, where community members have retained the right to sustainably harvest natural resources and live within the protected area. Following unsustainable pressure on Bangweulu’s wildlife and fish stocks, in 2008, six Community Resource Boards (CRBs) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) entered into a long-term agreement with African Parks to deliver on a shared vision to sustainably manage and protect these natural assets.
Since then, many advances have taken place: illegal hunting has been largely contained, allowing a dramatic increase in the black lechwe and tsessebe populations. The Department of Fisheries has been supported in the implementation of a national fish ban, which gives a three-month window in which fish stocks can recover. In addition to creating a more productive landscape and providing food security for local residents, modular centres have been constructed and schools supported, along with a reproductive health outreach programme created.
Although the work continues to ensure that Bangweulu can provide for the coming generations, effective management and strong community engagement are ensuring that people can take part in planning for their future, recognising their livelihoods are linked to a thriving wetland.
Bangweulu Highlights
- Bangweulu, home to over 400 bird species including 10% of the global wattled crane population, has been designated an “Important Bird Area” by BirdLife International and a “Wetlands of International Importance” under the RAMSAR Convention
- Bangweulu’s community programmes and enterprise development projects are growing including beekeeping and fisheries management. A partnership has been formed with CIFOR-ICRAF (Centre for International Forestry Research & World Agroforestry) for the development of value chains for natural products, exploring existing natural product utilisation in the communities.
- The recovery of the endemic black lechwe population has been supported through sustainable resource utilisation awareness raising.
- Continuous conservation law enforcement training, as well as specialised training in water-based operations, has resulted in a highly efficient team of over 100 rangers, many of whom are community scouts from the region.
- A comprehensive shoebill captive rearing and rehabilitation facility has been established – the first of its kind for shoebill – to help grow and protect this vulnerable species.
On the Horizon
In Bangweulu, community development is vital to the park’s long-term future, with health, education and community development projects continually being developed to enhance the lives of the people legally living within Bangweulu’s boundaries. Help Bangweulu continue this work in enhancing community development for thousands of people, and protecting the wildlife populations in this unique wetland.
Partners
The Bangweulu Wetlands Project is managed via a partnership between African Parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and six CRBs that have jurisdiction over the project area. The Bangweulu Wetlands Management Board was established in 2008 after local communities invited African Parks to become the private-sector management partner for the project. The Board comprises representatives from the six local communities, African Parks, and the DNPW. This ensures that the people who live and work in and around Bangweulu play a meaningful role in managing their landscape.
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