People around Nyika National Park in Rumphi District have expressed excitement with the installation of piped water in the area, saying it has saved women from risks associated with fetching water from the park.
Mwazisi Area Development Committee chairperson Anderson Botha said in an interview on Tuesday that before the Thazima Gravity-fed Water Supply Scheme was installed, women travelled long distances to fetch water from rivers and streams located within or near the park, exposing them to attacks by wild animals.
Mwazisi area in Rumphi. | Taonga Nyirenda
He said the project also reduced waterborne diseases and enabled many households to establish backyard gardens for vegetable production, thereby improving their nutrition and livelihoods.
“We used to risk our lives by going into areas where dangerous animals roam in search of water. Now most households have access to safe water closer to their homes. We are grateful for the project, although we appeal for its extension to areas that are yet to be connected,” said Botha.
Peace Parks Foundation project manager George Nxumayo , w hose organisation implemented Thazima Gravity-fed Water Supply Scheme under the Ma lawi-Zambia Trans – frontier Conservation Area Project, said communities surrounding Nyika National Park were, for years, facing water challenges, forcing them to fetch water from the protected area.
He said the scheme has so far provided safe drinking water to about 14 000 people and will be extended to Kasasa, Bululuji and other areas from August this year with the current phase expected to benefit at least 18 000 community members.
Nxumayo said the initiative is expected to provide safe and potable water to about 33 000 people around Nyika National Park and Vwaza Wildlife Reserve by 2045 while promoting conservation by reducing pressure on water sources in the two protected areas.
The project was financed by the German Government under its Development Bank (KfW) as a regional project through the Southern Africa Development Community.
Nyika National Park is home to beautiful sceneries and wild animals, including zebras.
The reservoir which supplies water to Mwazisi area in Rumphi. | Taonga Nyirenda
