Busanga Swamps. 02/02/07; Northwestern Province; 200,000 ha; 14°05'S 025°47'E. Game Management Area, National Park in part. A wide variety of ecosystem types such as swamps (which serve in groundwater recharge and flood control for the Kafue and Zambezi rivers), lagoons, woodlands, rivers and large grassy plains dominated by grassland vegetation. It hosts the vulnerable Wattled crane (Grus carunculatus), Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and Lion (Panthera leo) and supports significant numbers of migratory birds and other fauna such as the Blue Duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor), Wildbeest (Connochaetes gnou) and Zebra (Equus burchelli). There is a wide variety of fish, including Tilapia sp., and fishing is an important livelihood activity for the local population and a sport activity for tourists. The site is of local historical and traditional importance through fables arising from a Baobab tree located in this site. The National Park is state-owned with stress on non-consumptive use of resources such as tourism and other recreational activities, while the GMA is communally owned, allowing for sustainable consumptive use of resources in accordance with the Zambia Wildlife Act. There is an interim management plan which promotes public awareness, increased local participation and multi-sectoral approach in the wetland management. The Ngoma research station within the site also promotes vegetation research in the site. Ramsar site no. 1659. Most recent RIS information: 2007.