About The Kasanka  Trust  

 

The Kasanka Trust in Zambia is incorporated as a non-profit charitable institution with tax exemption. It has a board of 7 honorary trustees who meet in Lusaka and take responsibility for all aspects of planning and policy making.

The Zambian Trust has responsibility for Park management, community development, and tourism under the terms of the management agreement with the government. Implementation in the Park is through a Park Manager, Community Relations Officer, Projects Coordinator and a team of around 90 locally employed staff.

 

The Kasanka Trust (UK) is a registered charity in the UK with a board of 8 honorary trustees and a secretary. They meet in London and are primarily concerned with fundraising for activities in Zambia. They also assist with expert advice and procurement of equipment from time to time.

Both trusts operate with minimal administrative expenditure, relying on trustees, the secretary and other volunteers giving their time free. With interest and tax incentives, 100% of money raised is spent directly in the field on conservation and community development.




HISTORY OF THE KASANKA PROJECT

In 1985, a British expatriate who had lived in Zambia on and off for many years, visited Kasanka out of curiosity. There were no roads or bridges and no tourists had penetrated the Park for many years, but he managed to explore a little on foot. On hearing the crack of gunshots he concluded that if there was still poaching, there must still be animals!

He was impressed with the beautiful habitats he found and decided to try and save the Park from complete destruction and the threat of losing its National Park status. He teamed up with a local farmer who had also explored the Park a little, and the two used their own resources to employ scouts and build roads, bridges and temporary camps.

These early efforts were encouraged by the government, which had been unable to manage the Park itself. In order to help raise funds and formalise their position, they formed the Kasanka Trust, which was registered in Zambia (1987) and UK (1989).

The Project soon attracted attention from conservationists, and tourism started to bring in a little money to help cover costs. In 1990, the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) was


 

'Bream' Tilapia

sufficiently impressed by the progress to sign an agreement allowing the Trust to manage the Park and develop tourism to help fund its activities. This agreement recognised the importance of co-operation with the local community, which has always been central to the trust’s philosophy. In May 2003 the new Zambia Wildlife Authority which took over from National Parks and Wildlife Service, signed a new agreement for a further 5 years which automatically renews for a further 5 years at expiry. This agreement grants the Kasanka Trust “exlusive rights to manage and develop Kasanka National Park….”

In June 2002 the Trust received a vote of confidence when it’s founder David Lloyd was awarded an OBE medal in the Queens Jubilee honours for his vision and determination in seeing the Kasanka Trust project through to where it is today.

 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Kasanka Trust was formed to bring effective management to Kasanka National Park and thereby protect the flora and fauna in as natural a state as possible. By developing infrastructure and tourism the aim is to make the Park self-sustaining and bring benefits to the local community. The Trust promotes education and research in wildlife conservation and supports rural development schemes in the adjacent community. The funding for these activities comes from a number of sources, including foreign governments, charities, individual supporters and tourists.

The ultimate goals of Kasanka Trust are to secure the future of biodiversity in Kasanka National Park, funded through tourism revenue, and to sustain as well as stimulate the local economy through improved natural resource management.

The Trust is also keen to expand its area of influence and specifically assist the management of the Bangweulu Wetlands and Lavushi Manda National Park.

 

FINANCIAL

Roughly half of the costs of managing the Park are raised from tourism revenue with the balance coming from charitable support. Amongst the many individuals and institutions who have helped us, the Holly Hill Trust in UK has been particularly generous with support for the all-important core costs such as fuel and salaries.

The Kasanka Trust has also been fortunate to receive funding for several specific projects both inside the Park and for the surrounding community. Recent funding includes:

  • A grant from the Beit Trust for new Lodge buildings and boreholes at Wasa and Luwombwa Lodges.

  • Funding from the States of Guernsey and The German Embassy in Lusaka to build and equip  The Chalilo Clinic, with additional funding now received from FIDES in Holland for Clinic staff housing.

  • The British High Commission funded a borehole and handpump at Miseshi school after the German Embassy had paid for 2 teachers houses to be built there.

  • The Danish Embassy funded the completion of the Mulaushi Bridge at the Park entrance.

  • The Dutch Embassy funded the Community Relations Project for two and a half years.

  • The German Development Service (GDS/DED) have been very strong project partners sponsoring development workers over several years and supporting community development through self help and infrastructure renovation. They continue their support by funding a local Technical Expert to run the community Project.

  • Conservation Foundation (Zambia) is a locally based charity which has been giving support over many years for equipment such as radios and uniforms, and logistic support such as helicopter use.

  • The Finish Embassy in Lusaka has been sponsoring many core activities of the community project

  • IUCN Netherlands has supported to develop of Community Based Resource Management  in the communal lands around Kasanka

     

A project to uplift the standard of local education has used funds from individual sponsors to pay for fees and expenses of secondary school pupils who’s family couldn’t afford it. Some sponsors have also funded the trust to place additional teachers at the over-stretched local primary schools.

The Trust would like to express its sincere gratitude to all supporters and hopes that they find their contributions have been put to good use and achieved sustainable results.