𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐀 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐊𝐀𝐅𝐔𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐁-𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) is currently conducting a strategic field validation and stakeholder engagement exercise across key areas of the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment, including Chikankata, Mazabuka, Upper Ngwezi, Upper Kaleya, and Pemba.

The initiative aims to address critical water conflicts, promote compliance regulations, enhance protection of water resources, ensure equitable access and sustainable utilization of water for various users and communities.

During the engagements, WARMA’s team met with traditional leaders, District Commissioners, and village head men to identify challenges and co-create practical solutions.

In Pemba, His Royal Highness Chief Hamaundu highlighted the urgent need for increased access to water supply to reduce conflicts arising from shared water points between people and livestock. In Mazabuka, His Royal Highness Chief Hanjalika expressed concern over continued encroachment into river buffer zones, calling for focused community sensitization and enforcement.

In Chikankata, District Commissioner Mr. Timothy Chipolyonga emphasized the importance of water harvesting in form of dams and weirs to help mitigate existing conflicts.

Through this initiative, WARMA is working closely with local leadership and communities to promote awareness on intergrated water resources management, compliance to regulations, promote equitable access to water resources, and strengthen community-led governance structures to ensure inclusive and responsive decision-making.

These engagements are part of WARMA’s strategic partnership with GIZ under the AWARE 2.0 program, which provides technical support, builds local capacity, and fosters sustainable water management practices in the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment.

By collaborating directly with communities and leaders, WARMA is ensuring that Zambia’s water resources are managed sustainably, safeguarding livelihoods, agriculture, and livestock for current and future generations.