Zambezi River Basin

for many species. Wetlands are also used for commercial fisheries, the most notable of which are in Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa, the Zambezi delta/Sofala bank, Cahora Bassa, Itezhi-Tezhi, Kafue and Lake Kariba. Fish contribute a significant part of the daily diet of the people who live near wetlands. Wetlands also promote tourism activities including photography, bird watching and hunting (SADC and SARDC 2008).

The most important wetlands in the basin are Barotse Floodplains in Zambia, the Chobe Swamps in northeastern Namibia, the Linyanti Swamp in Botswana, the Busanga Swamps on the Lunga River, the Lukanga Swamps and the Kafue Flats on the Luangwa River, and the Elephant Marsh near the town of Chiromo in Malawi. Wetlands are important habitats for fish, animals and birds and provide vegetative cover and suitable breeding and feeding grounds

© P. Chola © wilkinsonsworld.com

The Barotse Plains inWestern Province of Zambia is also known as the Bulozi Plain, Lyondo or the Zambezi Floodplain. It is a designated Ramsar site, and is regarded as of high conservation value.

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Wetlands are important habitats for many species, including birds.

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