About Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika has a unique biological habitat, with almost 90% of the species occurring there found nowhere else on Earth. Almost 1/6th of the entire available surface freshwater in the world is found in this amazing body of water. Unfortunately, like so many other rare and sensitive environments, the effects of overfishing, global warming and bad practices have placed Lake Tanganyika and its surrounds under threat.
It is fed by the Rusizi River in Burundi to the north and the Malagarasi River in Tanzania to the east. Due to its great depth, the lake only drains during periods of high rainfall, making it more of an inland sea than a lake. Its drainage system is complex, with its waters eventually flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
Sumbu National Park
Located in the south western corner of Lake Tanganyika, Sumbu National Park (also called Nsumbu National Park) covers approximately 2,000 km sq, including some 80kms of the most pristine shoreline of Lake Tanganyika. Arguably the most important protected area of the whole lake, it is one of three National Parks along the lake shore, the other two being in Tanzania.
The park is distinctive from the other national parks in that it has a relatively large portion of protected waters that are extremely productive in terms of fish and other aquatic life. This is mainly due to the comparative shallowness of this area. Sumbu National Park is widely recognised as one of the most important areas for conservation along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
The need for conservation
The loss of wildlife, fish life and habitats pose a grave threat to the biodiversity of the region and indeed the world. However, it is the communities living along the lake shore who are most affected by this environmental decline. It poses a threat to both their current livelihoods and the prospect of a future where both wildlife and humans can live in harmony in the Lake Tanganyika vicinity.
Conservation Lake Tanganyika
Conservation Lake Tanganyika is a non profit organisation that works with the community to raise awareness of the importance of conserving both the lake and the Sumbu National Park. It was formed in order to promote and preserve the biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika for the sustainable benefit of its inhabitants through a partnership with the community and the Government of Zambia.
Co-operation with the Zambia Wildlife Authority
Conservation Lake Tanganyika works closely with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in a supporting role by providing additional resources in terms of fuel and rations to officers in the field.
ZAWA is the government body responsible for the management of Zambia's National Parks, Game Management Areas and wildlife sanctuaries. ZAWA is directly responsible for all anti poaching operations within Sumbu National Park and the nearby Tondwa Game Management Area.
Support the cause
Conservation Lake Tanganyika is non profit and relies entirely on donations and membership fees. Any monetary donations go towards various conservation and community projects. All donations are made public on the Conservation Lake Tanganyika website unless otherwise requested.
Financial records are kept and audited annually, you can support this worthy cause in various ways. Contact Conservation Lake Tanganyika for further information or visit the Conservation Lake Tanganyika help page.
