Boreholes in the Chitungulu Chiefdom

Residents in numerous remote villages within Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, notably the Chitungulu community north of Luambe National Park, confront the challenge of lacking safe access to clean water. These communities rely on rivers, wells, or artificially constructed water holes for various essential activities such as drinking, cooking, washing, irrigation, and personal hygiene. However, during the dry season, water supply becomes precarious, as river levels decrease, water holes dry up, or the distance to the nearest suitable source becomes impractical. Notably, women and children often traverse long distances through wilderness areas to retrieve water, exposing them to potential dangers associated not only with contaminated water but also with encounters with wild animals, predisposing them to human-wildlife conflicts.

In response to this pressing issue and to bolster the Chitungulu community, Nsanga Conservation, the Caring For Conservation Fund, and Luambe Camps and Conservation tourism lodge have made a substantial contribution by donating 14 boreholes. Each borehole is equipped with a hand pump, concrete basins, and provisions for maintenance. This collaborative effort aims to alleviate water scarcity, enhance the safety of water retrieval, and reduce the risks associated with human-wildlife conflicts, thereby promoting the well-being of the local communities.