Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Much of the surrounding forests are cut down to provide woodfuel for curing fish. The lake’s varying water levels is also a result of inconsistent rainfall patterns. Severe droughts have caused the lake to completely dry up in the past. The above average rainfall received between 1964 and 1980 caused the lake to fill up an area of about 1 600 sq kilometres. The lake has decreased both in area and depth partly due to recent episodes of drought.

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Chapter 2 - Zambia’s Changing Environment