The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) played a catalytic role to create partnerships (including Zambia Sugar, the energy, water and wildlife authorities, a chiefdom and two tour companies). With the sugar industry, WWF is working to restore 50,000ha of the Kafue Flats – the Mwanachingwala Conservation Area. This is being achieved through a combination of measures including raising awareness among local communities, the introduction of wise use practices, translocation of animals, and ecotourism.
WWF is also encouraging sugar farms to pre-treat their effluent through bio-filters to lower nutrient levels in the water. The plants grown as bio-filters can also be used to make a modest income – for example, basket-making from reeds.
With ZESCO (Zambian Electricity Supply Company) and MEWD (Ministry of Energy & Water Development), WWF is working to the operating procedures of the Kafue Gorge and Itezhi-tezhi Dams. The aim is to mimic natural water flows as closely as possible in order to restore wetland functions and values.
The IWRM project is part of the Kafue pilot project being implemented by the MEWD through the Water Resources Action Programme (WRAP). WRAP is trying to develop a national strategy that will improve the management of water resources (surface and groundwater) throughout Zambia.