Busanga Swamps

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Busanga Swamps

  • Country: 
    Zambia
  • Site number: 
    1659
  • Area: 
    200,000 ha
  • Designation date: 
    02-02-2007
  • Coordinates: 
    14°04'S 25°46'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Busanga Swamps. 02/02/07; Northwestern Province; 200,000 ha; 14°05'S 025°47'E. Game Management Area, National Park in part. A wide variety of ecosystem types such as swamps (which serve in groundwater recharge and flood control for the Kafue and Zambezi rivers), lagoons, woodlands, rivers and large grassy plains dominated by grassland vegetation. It hosts the vulnerable Wattled crane (Grus carunculatus), Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and Lion (Panthera leo) and supports significant numbers of migratory birds and other fauna such as the Blue Duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor), Wildbeest (Connochaetes gnou) and Zebra (Equus burchelli). There is a wide variety of fish, including Tilapia sp., and fishing is an important livelihood activity for the local population and a sport activity for tourists. The site is of local historical and traditional importance through fables arising from a Baobab tree located in this site. The National Park is state-owned with stress on non-consumptive use of resources such as tourism and other recreational activities, while the GMA is communally owned, allowing for sustainable consumptive use of resources in accordance with the Zambia Wildlife Act. There is an interim management plan which promotes public awareness, increased local participation and multi-sectoral approach in the wetland management. The Ngoma research station within the site also promotes vegetation research in the site. Ramsar site no. 1659. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Administrative region: 
Northwestern Province

  • National legal designation: 
    • Game Management Area - Kasonso-Busanga Game Management
    • National Park - Kafue National Park
  • Last publication date: 
    02-02-2007

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)