Kariba Forest Preservation, Zimbabwe

Map of Zimbabwe

The Kariba forest preservation project is located in northwestern Zimbabwe, partly along the southern shore of Lake Kariba, the largest artificial lake in the world by volume. As a project following the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) framework, it subscribes to the highest standards for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as the sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

The project area of 784,987 hectares of forest (consisting of woodland and open woodland) spans four Zimbabwean provinces: Matabeleland North, Midlands, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central. The project is community-based and consists of implementation of activities in conjunction with the local population, administered by four Rural District Councils (RDCs): Binga, Nyaminyami, Hurungwe and Mbire. 

The project is expected to generate more than 196 million greenhouse gas emission reductions over 30 years, sequestered in above- and below-ground living tree and non-tree biomass, standing deadwood, and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) during its lifetime.