English - Convention on Biological Diversity

Area of purviewPolicies / plans/ laws that have amajor bearing on biodiversityconservationLanka’s BCAP pertaining to coastal andmarine habitats and species have beenincorporated into the current CoastalZone Management Plan of 2004.The National Action Plan for Protectionof Marine and Coastal Environment fromLand based activities of 1999, whichcovers impacts of inland sand mining,land degradation, coastal erosion andcoastal pollution from industries on themarine environment.Key programmes/ projects that addressbiodiversity conservationThe MEPA has commenced a programme ofwork to implement the Marine PollutionPrevention Act and for surveillance andregulation of activities within its area ofauthority,The National Oil Contingency Plan(NOSCOP) to deal with nationalarrangements for responding to oil spillsin the marine environment.Source: Adapted from institutional surveys and Thematic Report on Biodiversity for the National Capacity Needs Self Assessment Project(MoENR, 2007)3.3 Cross-sectoral integration of biodiversity conservation concerns3.3.1 Institutions responsible for biodiversity conservationA large number of institutions are stakeholders in conserving and managing biodiversity in SrI Lanka, either throughdirect protection, management of bio-resources or through negative impact. They are listed in Table 3.1. Apart fromthe main sectoral institutions that are directly mandated with biodiversity conservation, many others such as theMinistry dealing with Fisheries, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), the Department ofAgriculture (DOA) and the institutions that function under it, the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH)that deals with livestock, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & DevelopmentCorporation (SLLRDC) also play a considerable role in biodiversity conservation through their respective mandates. Theministry dealing with policy planning and implementation is the key agency responsible for formulation of nationaldevelopment policies. The National Planning Department is under this ministry, and deals with policy planning andimplementation. It also plays a strong role in the development of the national medium-term macroeconomicframework and sectoral programmes that have an impact on biodiversity conservation.Networking that worked in the 1990sThe ministry of environment established and maintained a network of mid level Biodiversity Liaison Officers in allstakeholder ministries, departments and agencies to facilitate the preparation of the BCAP during the mid 1990s. Throughthis network, as well as regular consultations with network members, the ministry kept stakeholder agencies interested inthe BCAP process. These officers were trained in skills required for biodiversity conservation through the Biodiversity SkillsEnhancement Project (BSEP) that involved several field visits. In addition, the ministry conducted a series of awarenessprogrammes for state officials at various levels, commencing with the Secretaries of Ministries. This ensured wideparticipation in the BCAP preparation process. However, due to the considerable time lag between preparations of thedraft BCAP and its publication, the lack of an effective communication strategy to involve the stakeholders in itsimplementation, coupled with the lack of funds and required capacity in the MoENR has precluded its implementation in aholistic manner,Table 3.4 deals with status of cross-sectoral integration of biodiversity conservation in institutions that are notdirectly concerned with environmental conservation, but nonetheless contribute towards biodiversity conservation.Fourth National Report to the CBD: Sri Lanka 64