By Friday Phiri –

The existence of human beings depends on important ecological systems and biodiversity.
And Wetlands are part of the said diversity.
Wetlands are described as a transitional area of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.
Zambia boasts of a number of wetlands designated to be of international importance since Zambia ratified the Ramsar Convention in 1991. These include; the Kafue Flats Wetland, Bangweulu Swamps, Barotse (Zambezi) Floodplains, Luangwa Floodplains, Busanga Swamps, Lukanga Swamps, Lake Mweru-wa-Ntipa and Lake Tanganyika.
Wetlands provide values that no other ecosystem can. Whereas wetlands are vulnerable to impacts of climate change due to changes in temperature and the timing and amount of precipitation, wetlands also play a key role in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Wetlands are scientifically proven carbon sinks for greenhouse gases, where carbon is stored and prevented from entering the atmosphere.
Similarly, wetlands play a role in our ability to manage risks from climate change. Because of their natural variability, wetlands are able to persist and continue to provide ecosystem and other livelihood support services despite climate change. These ecosystem services include; cleaning up polluted water; slowing and storing floodwaters and snow melt; recharging groundwater; supporting habitat for many different native plant and animal species including supporting human beings’ livelihood (fishing, cultivation of crops such as rice); and provision of opportunities for recreation, education and research.
A further analysis of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reveals that wetlands are important to achieve SDG 2 on zero hunger (livelihood for people), SDG 13 on climate
action (livelihood, water provision and serving as flood and erosion control, as well as a carbon sinks), SGD 14 on life below water (supporting the blue economy) and SDG 15 on life on land (supporting livelihood in general)
However, as the population continues to grow, pressure is being placed on arable land, water, energy, and other biological resources to provide adequate supply of food. The Zambia Environment Outlook (ZEO) report number four (4), a publication by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) notes mounting pressure on wetlands leading to serious environmental degradation and negatively affecting biological diversity through resource depletion and pollution.
Some of the noted activities include increased demand for settlements, which has resulted in the conversion of biologically sensitive areas such as wetlands into built up areas.
In view of the fact that some of the wetlands are in open places, the main observed challenges in terms of management relates to human interference, unsustainable or over harvesting of resources such as fish for livelihood and deforestation.
It is for this reason that government, through relevant agencies and departments, has been putting in place measures to conserve wetlands.
One of the key activities in the recent past is the development of the Conservation Plans for critical wetlands. Starting with the Lukanga swamps, one of the popular and important wetlands supporting people’s livelihood in central province and beyond.
In a symbolic gesture for government support for wetlands, this year’s World Wetlands Day (annually commemorated on 2 nd February) was observed in the Lukanga Swamps under the theme; Wetlands Action for People and Nature.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Elijah Muchima, MP, officiated at the ceremony.
Hon. Muchima echoed President Hakainde Hichilema’s message on the importance of promoting conservation of biodiversity through development of Conservation Plans for critical wetlands.
“You may wish to agree with me that this year’s theme resonates very well with our national circumstances. Our Wetlands require prudent mobilization of all stakeholders for them to join hands and utilise their various competencies and strengths to address the threats and challenges being faced by our wetlands,” said Hon. Muchima.
“I am pleased to inform you that as a country, we are making strides to addressing threats to wetlands. As you may be aware, Zambia is party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International importance, that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
In addition, government through my ministry is working with other stakeholders to effectively implement the national policy on wetlands of 2018 through among other things, the development and implementation of wetlands Conservation Plans.”
Earlier, ZEMA Director for Planning, Information and Research, Maxwell Nkoya highlighted some key findings from a recent study of the Lukanga Swamps that the Agency undertook in fulfilling one of its mandated functions by the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011, to initiate and undertake research on critical environmental issues.
“ZEMA undertook a study of the Lukanga Swamps to assess, among other parameters, the value of the main ecosystem benefits derived from the swamps. The study has revealed that the main ecosystem services that we derive from the Lukanga Swamps is estimated at over 500 million dollars in terms of monetary value. However, if no proper interventions are undertaken in the next five years, deforestation and other detrimental activities could reduce this value by half,” said Mr Nkoya.
And in buttressing the importance of wetlands, World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Country Director for Zambia, Nachilala Nkombo emphasised the need for more investment in the protection of wetlands.
“Wetlands have continued to play an important role in moderating floods and drought consequent to climate change. Losing these wetlands means local livelihoods and the economy becomes at risk…Lukanga swamps is an example of an important ecological infrastructure that supports rural and urban economies and heavy industries,” Ms Nkombo noted.
The author is Manager, Corporate Affairs at ZEMA; fphiri@zema.org.zm