The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has decided to develop guidelines for the sustainable utilisation of wetlands in Zambia. This is because these important ecosystems are facing massive degradation through various causes resulting in the loss of immense socio- economic, ecological and cultural potential offered by wetlands.

Threats to wetlands include unsustainable agriculture, deforestation, mining, urbanization and pollution, which jeopardize their ecological integrity.