PDF《ZAMBIA NATIONAL REPORT TO THE RAMSAR》

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES ZAMBIA NATIONAL REPORT TO THE RAMSAR CONVENTION JUNE

1998 PREPARED BY: THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA ZAMBIA'

S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY i FOREWORD Zambia is party to the convention on wetlands (Ramsar Convention).

The Government of the Republic of Zambia ratified the convention on

28 December 1991. Zambia is endowed with abundant natural resources. Even though Zambia has a relatively weak economy it is rich in natural resources and biological diversity, and has a high potential for development in the same. Among its natural resources are wetlands which are rich in biological diversity. The wetlands cover 13% of the total country'

s land surface of 750,000 km2. The country'

s national parks which support a lot of wildlife, are located in the wetland areas. The wetlands support different economic activities which include game viewing, game hunting, ecotourism, fishing, irrigation, dams, small and large scale agricultural activities, salt mining and Hydro-Electric Power (HEP) generation. The country has made significant efforts in improving the management of wetland areas. Two wetland areas namely;

the Kafue flats and Bangweulu swamps have been designated as wetlands of international importance or Ramsar sites. There is need for more wetlands to be designated as Ramsar sites in order to improve management, as Zambia has many other wetlands of importance. This report presents Zambia'

s efforts and plans (past and present) to sustainably manage and utilise the relatively abundant wetlands in the Southern African Region. The Government of the Republic of Zambia over the past years has learnt the importance of community participation in the management of wetlands resources. In order to get communities participation it is my strong conviction that educational or awareness creation or building programmes must be given priority in wetlands programs. Zambia supports the aims of the Ramsar Convention and will support these aims and objectives within our own resource limitations. Hon. Alfeyo Hambayi, MP Minister of Environment and Natural Resources June

1998 ii REMARKS This report has been prepared by the government of the republic of Zambia for submission to the

7 Th. meeting of the conference of the contracting parties to the convention on wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971). San Jose, 1999. iii ACRONYMS ARPT - Adaptive Research Planning Team ECZ - Environmental Council of Zambia GEF - Global Environment Facility IIED - International Institute for Environment and Development IUCN - World Conservation Union NCSR - National Council for Scientific Research NORAD - Norwegian Aid Agency NPWS - National Parks and Wildlife Services SADC C Southern African Development Community WWF - World Wide Funds for Nature ZESCO - Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited ZNWP - Zambia National Wetlands Policy ZWP -Zambia Wetlands Programme iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FOREWORD II REMARKS III ACRONYMS IV OFFICIAL INFORMATION

1 SUMMARY

2 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN- GENERAL OBJECTIVE

1 3 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN C GENERAL OBJECTIVE

2 4 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN -GENERAL OBJECTIVE

3 22 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN - GENERAL OBJECTIVE

4 25 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN - GENERAL OBJECTIVE

5 27 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN - GENERAL OBJECTIVE

6 28 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN - GENERAL OBJECTIVE

7 30 RAMSAR STRATEGIC PLAN - GENERAL OBJECTIVE

8 35 OPTIONAL SECTION -

35 APPENDIX

40 v OFFICIAL INFORMATION Implementation of the Ramsar Convention in general and of the Ramsar strategic plan 1997-2002 in particular during the period since the national report prepared in