Project:
Luangwa Community Forests Project

The project area spans across 12 chiefdoms, totalling 1 million hectares. The project area was designated by local community members themselves after a free, prior and informed consent. The project enjoys widespread support not only from the local communities, but also from the traditional authorities and the government of the Republic of Zambia, who actively take part in the project's implementation.

Significant pressure on natural resources

In Eastern Province, covering most of the project area, more than 75% of households are poor, living with less than $1.25 a day, and around 60% of the population is living in extreme poverty - without electricity, water or sanitation services. As a result of poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods in rural areas, most of the population rely on smallholder agriculture for food and income and on firewood for cooking and heating. However, unsustainable farming practices, such as burning the field and crop residues together with the cultivation of crops which deplete the fertility of soils, urge subsistence farmers to clear new forest plots and move their crops to more fertile soils.

The high population growth puts more pressure on natural resources, thus driving deforestation. In rural areas, all households are practicing small-scale farming, whereas in urban areas commercial charcoal production is more prevalent. Areas that are cleared for charcoal production are often quickly followed by an agricultural expansion. 

Addressing the socio-economic drivers of deforestation

To be successful in halting unplanned deforestation, the project tackles the underlying socio-economic drivers of deforestation - subsistence farming, charcoal and fuelwood collection. The project incentivises communities to mitigate deforestation by creating a clear link to project benefits by introducing performance-based payments.

The project distributed just under 5 million dollars in direct payments to 12 chiefdoms for the protection of wildlife habitat and community development in 2021. The money is invested in various development projects selected by the communities focusing on agricultural improvement, infrastructure development and prevention of forest encroachment and poaching.

Improved agricultural activities in 2021 include training 376 lead farmers in conservation farming techniques to support over 9000 followers farmers through the farmer-to-farmer model. To enhance food security and income, the project promotes the cultivation of high-value crops, such as soya, cowpeas and sunflower, where the surplus grain could be sold at a good price. Beekeeping has been introduced as an alternative livelihood and in 2021, 3000 beehives were distributed to 522 beekeepers, yielding in total of 7390 kg of honey. Additional activities under investigation and community consultation are production of fruits and vegetables, support for animal husbandry, commercialisation of agricultural products and land-based aquaculture. Expected positive impacts are improved food security and income, sustainable livelihoods, and reduced pressure on natural resources.

Infrastructure development projects selected by the communities include construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure, classrooms and latrines, provision of safe drinking water through boreholes and wells, provision of boats to facilitate safe river crossing, clinic furniture, provision of hammer mills, maize and rice shelters. In addition, the construction of a Mothers Shelter benefiting 420 women is under construction. A number of new projects are currently under investigation and community consultation, including micro-credits, construction of health care centres, installation of solar fences to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, construction of culverts and self-supply of water through roof-based water collection. Expected positive impacts are reducing the cost of living, increasing the level of education and local capacities, reducing child mortality.

Forest encroachment and poaching is prevented through monthly patrols by village scouts and aerial monitoring of encroachment hotspots. Anti-poaching activities include snare removal, counting carcasses and arresting poachers. High conservation value species are monitored on a monthly basis by ground and air patrols. Expected positive outcomes are quick response to and rapid resolution of encroachment, greater understanding of wildlife populations, and employment for village scouts.

Unique biodiversity benefits

The project creates a wildlife corridor between 5 national parks by protecting 1 million hectares of intact forest in one of Africa’s last remaining wilderness areas. Most of the project falls within the Luangwa Valley and the surrounding hills, including also a large part of the catchment of Luangwa river - one of the longest undammed rivers in Southern Africa. The area is a prime habitat for endangered large mammals and vulnerable bird species, such as the Southern ground hornbill. Endangered large mammals include giraffe, Cookson’s Wildebeest, antelope, Moloney’s monkey, Black rhinoceros, African wild dog, and lion. The area is home to large populations of primates, bovids, carnivores, bats and Zambia’s largest hippopotamus population. In addition, the area has a high plant diversity with 1350 plant species recorded, including 8 endemic woody species.

The project area falls within the Game Management Areas controlled by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. The hunting concessions given to foreign trophy hunters have depleted the levels of wildlife in some of the game areas. The project aims to conserve and maintain the rich biodiversity of vulnerable and endangered species through habitat protection and reduction of poaching. Everyone holding a hunting concession has been consulted regarding the project and understands the benefits it will bring. 

Photo credit: BioCarbon Partners

Access the project documents on Verra's database.