By Lydia Amanzi and Choolwe Lumwaya
Lusaka, Zambia (December 12, 2024) – In a decisive step towards a sustainable wildlife economy, the Wildlife Producers Association of Zambia (WPAZ), in collaboration with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), hosted a stakeholder dialogue workshop at the Urban Hotel in Lusaka. The event brought together policymakers, conservationists, and community leaders to discuss strategies for advancing sustainable wildlife management in Zambia.
This workshop is part of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, a major international initiative funded by the European Union and co-funded by the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The programme focuses on reducing hunting for wild meat to sustainable levels, restoring wildlife populations, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and providing alternative income streams for local communities across 15 participating countries. In Zambia, it is implemented in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the Nyawa Royal Establishment, and other key stakeholders.
Insights from speakers
The event underscored Zambia’s progress in implementing innovative community-led conservation policies. The Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Dominic Chiinda, highlighted the 2018 directive enabling the establishment of community game ranches such as Mize, Simalaha and Ntambu. He explained: “Government is determined to support communities involved in the wildlife sector through ecological assessments and capacity-building initiatives to ensure sustainable and economically viable ventures. The ongoing Wildlife Bill aims to create a robust legal framework to enhance the wildlife economy, attract investments, and position Zambia as one of advocates in community-led conservation.”
FAO Representative Suze-Percy Filippini praised the global impact of the SWM Programme: “We are proud to support the SWM Programme, a global initiative funded by the EU with co-funding from the AFD. This programme works to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah, and wetland ecosystems across 15 participating countries.”
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Chomba, Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes, officially launched the Legal Game Meat Brochure, emphasizing its importance in guiding sustainable growth within Zambia’s legal game meat sector. “The brochure underlines our commitment to ensuring that wildlife conservation aligns with community livelihoods and development,” he noted.
Participants at the workshop explored the transformative potential of community conservancies, which are legally recognized, community-managed areas that empower local populations to manage and benefit from their natural resources. By granting legal ownership through democratically elected governance structures, the conservancies align conservation efforts with economic opportunities for rural communities.
WPAZ Chairman Ian Robinson described the association’s role: “WPAZ is proud to be at the forefront of efforts to strengthen Zambia’s wildlife economy. Through research, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement, we are equipping communities with tools to sustainably manage and benefit from wildlife resources.” Griffin Shanungu, SWM Programme Site Coordinator for Zambia , echoed this sentiment: “By supporting initiatives such as the legal game meat value chain and the establishment of community game ranches, we are helping local communities not only conserve wildlife but also to benefit economically. This workshop is a pivotal moment to celebrate our achievements and plan for a sustainable future that harmonizes conservation with community livelihoods.”
Community success stories
During the panel discussion on lessons learned from community leaders, key issues such as governance structures, sustainability, and capacity building were highlighted.
John Simuuba, Board Chairperson of the Mize Community Conservancy (MiCC), shared the community’s enthusiasm for establishing their game ranch to sustainably benefit from natural resources. “Through the SWM Programme, we have participated in game ranching trainings which demonstrated how resource conservation, including wildlife, can create tangible benefits when properly implemented and this is what we aim to achieve in Mize,” he explained.
Harison Zimba, Chairperson of the Ntambu Community Game Ranch Committee, shared the progress made by the Ntambu community game ranch programme. He noted that community members have started witnessing tangible benefits, including the establishment of an upcoming butchery. The programme has also created employment opportunities for youth, including roles in monitoring activities.
“These efforts have contributed to a significant reduction in poaching incidents in the area, driven by the sense of ownership that community members now feel,” said Zimba.
Similarly, Simalaha Community Conservancy has benefited from technical training provided by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and Peace Parks Foundation, further empowering the community to manage and sustain their natural resources effectively.
Shaping the future of conservation
The workshop highlighted several critical areas for action, emphasizing the importance of community-driven initiatives in sustainable wildlife management and economic development. Community conservancies emerged as a proven model to encourage sustainable wildlife management while promoting economic growth within local communities. These initiatives underscore the significance of engaging communities in conservation efforts to ensure lasting impact.
The concept of legal game meat was presented as a sustainable alternative to deter poaching. By creating income opportunities and conserving wildlife populations, this approach provides communities with viable economic options. Additionally, the importance of diversifying protein sources, including fish farming and goat rearing, was stressed as a means to enhance food security while reducing pressure on wildlife.
Policy reform and capacity building were identified as foundational elements for achieving long-term success in community-led conservation. Equipping communities with the necessary skills, resources, and governance frameworks ensures their ability to manage natural resources effectively and sustainably.
The workshop also explored the potential of diversified income streams to bolster community livelihoods. Opportunities such as ecotourism, carbon trading, and the utilization of non-timber forest products like honey were discussed as innovative ways to create resilient and thriving economies while conserving natural ecosystems.
Next steps
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing Zambia’s wildlife economy. By empowering communities, fostering sustainable practices, and developing innovative business models, the SWM Programme and its partners aim to ensure that wildlife conservation and economic development progress hand-in-hand. Zambia is poised to promote community-led ranching using sustainable conservation practices, setting an example for the region and beyond.
About the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme
The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme is a major international initiative that aims to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah, and wetland ecosystems. It is funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and the French Development Agency (AFD). Projects are being piloted and tested with governments and communities in 15 participating countries. The programme is implemented by a dynamic consortium of partners that includes FAO, CIFOR-ICRAF, WCS, and CIRAD.
In Zambia, the SWM Programme activities are carried out by the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Nyawa Royal Establishment (NRE) in collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF.
Additional materials
- The legal game meat sector in Zambia: Status, challenges and opportunities
This Brochure gives an overview of Zambia’s legal game meat sector, and it is informed by interviews conducted with value chain actors and other sector stakeholders in 2023. It highlights key opportunities and challenges facing the legal game meat value chain to provide a way forward for supporting more equitable, sustainable growth of the sector for government, donor organizations and other stakeholders.
