LEX-FAOC039947

The revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is a key tool for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) objectives and the Aichi Targets. It has been developed based on national needs and priorities for biodiversity conservation, in response to threats that are facing biological resources at country level. The major objectives of the NBSAP are: to improve environmental stability for natural ecosystems and their biodiversity; to restore degraded ecosystems and maintain equilibrium among biological communities; to establish an appropriate framework for access to genetic resources and equitable sharing of benefits arising from biodiversity use and ecosystems services; and to improve policy, legal and institutional framework for a better management and conservation of national biodiversity. to mainstream gender issues into biodiversity planning and capacity building activities. The NBSAP has 5 goals and 19 targets. The goals are: To address the main causes of national biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity conservation in the decision making process across all governmental, private and civil society development programmes. To reduce anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity resources and promote their sustainable use. To improve the status of national biodiversity by expanding and safeguarding priority protected ecosystems and maintaining biological communities in equilibrium state. To ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. National targets have been developed to shape and direct the strategic actions by 2020 towards achieving the objectives of the NBSAP as follows: 1: people in at least Districts that are adjacent to protected areas are aware of the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services and understand the steps for its sustainable use and conservation. 2: values of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the key natural ecosystems for selected protected areas have been determined and integrated into planning processes, i.e. poverty reduction strategies and into national economy. 3: positive incentives for biodiversity conservation and sustainability towards local communities development are boosted and applied and harmful incentives are eliminated. 4: public and private sectors and civil society organizations have promoted and implemented plans that consider ecological limits. 5: natural ecosystems are safeguarded, their degradation and fragmentation significantly reduced. 6: fishing, aquaculture, agriculture and forestry are sustainably managed to ensure biodiversity conservation.7: pollutants are controlled to levels that are not detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity. 8: invasive alien species are identified and controlled or eradicated. 9: national territory holding particular biodiversity and ecosystem services is protected to maintain biological diversity. 10: threatened species are protected. 11: genetic diversity of priority cultivated plants and animals is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity. 12: potential risks resulting from biotechnology have been minimized and/or eliminated. 13: ecosystems that provide essential services to human well-being and contribute to health as well as livelihoods, taking into account the needs of women and vulnerable groups. 14: ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced through increase of forest cover contributing to Climate Change adaptation and mitigation. 15: Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources is integrated into national legislation. 16: Rwanda has commenced implementing an effective, participatory and updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). 17: values of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation. Tourism development has often been concentrated in and around protected areas. Many governments consider tourism as a source of income, poverty alleviation and employment.