Posted on October, 14 2020

River basin health has generally encompass the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of riverine systems. This definition has been broadened to include the social and economic values that healthy river basins deliver to society as well as the health of the management and governance systems that provide an enabling environment for the maintenance or restoration of river health. The aim to promote healthier rivers for all.

The Lower Kafue River Basin initial workshop held on 5-7 March 2018 in Monze, Zambia which was hosted by Dr. Edify Hamutale the Southern Province Minister. During this workshop, values and threats were grouped into the six categories: Water Quality and Quantity; Management and Governance; Society and Culture; Human Health and Nutrition; Landscapes and Ecology; and Economy.  

Thresholds within which indicators should remain for good basin health were also agreed upon. Stakeholders provided information for analysing the status of these indicators, resulting in the completion of the Lower Kafue Report Card in October 2019.

This report card was launch by The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Sanitation, Dr. Jonas Chanda on 25th September 2020. WWF Zambia also went further to partner with Peoples’ Action Forum (PAF Mazabuka) the local community based organization for wider dissemination of the results of the Report Card in collaboration with WARMA in 11 chiefdoms along the Lower Kafue Basin. The community information dissemination of the Lower Kafue BHRC yielded tangible and great outcomes at district and chiefdom level.  

For more information and questions about this report, contact Mr. James Mbewe the Young Expert Professional – River Basin Health who has is currently managing this project or Ms. Agness Sililo Musitu, the Senior Freshwater Programme Coordinator.