By Machona Kasambala
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and WorldFish have given communities in the lower Kafue basin SIXTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS to sustain the management of natural resources in the area.
WorldFish Country and Southern Africa Director VICTOR SIAMUDALA says the lower Kafue basin is a significant ecological area that delivers multiple social economic benefits to the country and requires a long-term sustainable investment plan.
Dr SIAMUDALA says the basin is an asset that provides over fifty percent of hydropower generation, commercial irrigation, grazing land, and fishing that needs to be secured.
He says IWMI and WorldFish through the aquatic food systems have provided the funds to three community working groups to implement and operationalize a coordinated approach in the management of the asset through a Multi Stakeholder Platform.
And IWMI Consultant FREDDIE SIANGULUBE says the multi stakeholder platform has come up with an integrated approach through the development of conservation and management, knowledge and information, and sustainable livelihoods working groups.
Dr SIANGULUBE each of the three community working groups were given TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS in June and are expected to utilize the funds by September this year.
He says the funds must be used in the context of climate change and sustainable use of resources that will lead to a lot of partners investing in the initiatives.
Meanwhile Chieftainess MUWEZWA of the Ila speaking people in Itezhi Tezhi district says her chiefdom is open to support from any stakeholder who is interested in uplifting the living standards of her people and the area.
Chieftainess MUWEZWA has however insisted that the development should be dependent on the needs of the people and not dictated by the stakeholders.
The traditional leader says she is impressed by the measures the government has put in place to alleviate the plight of the people in her area who have been affected by climate change such as the recent droughts and floods.