Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

With a recorded 18,783 species of fauna and flora, Uganda ranks among the top ten most biodiverse countries globally. It is host to 53.9 per cent (400 individuals) of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas [ ] 227 Safeguarding biodiversity through regulatory action In Uganda, the National Environ- ment Act and the National Envi- ronment Management Policy have integrated the CBD, with relevant na- tional laws and policies on environ- ment and natural resources reviewed or developed accordingly. The Land Act provides for Gov- ernment or local government to hold in trust for the people and protect natural lakes, rivers, groundwater, natural streams and ponds, wetlands, forest reserves, national parks and any other land reserved for ecolog- ical and touristic purposes for the common good. The National Policy on Biotech- nology and Biosafety (2008) defines a framework for the safe application of biotechnology towards national development. The Policy recognizes modern biotechnology as a tool that can be used to enhance agricultur- al productivity, improve food and nutrition security, promote conser- vation and sustainable use of natural resources, and enhance human and environmental health. Systems of Protected Areas (PAs) have increased from four national parks to a total of 735 forest and wildlife PAs. In addition, Uganda has designated 34 sites as important bird areas. Environment Impact Assess- ment (EIA) regulations were formu- lated in 1998 to cover all projects likely to have adverse impacts on the biodiversity, with appropriate mitiga- tion measures to minimize or avoid potential negative impacts. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was de- veloped in 2002 and revised in 2015, with NBSAP II (2015–2025) main- streamed in the National Develop- ment Plan II. It integrates the provi- sions of the National Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals. A study on the level of investment on biodiversity conservation and management, supported by the Unit- ed Nations Development Programme, has enabled Government to assess the funding gap for biodiversity conser- vation and management, estimated at about US$ 450 million per year. A Na- tional Biodiversity Finance Plan has been developed to guide mobilization of additional financial resources. The Guidelines and Action Plan for Financing Biodiversity Conservation in Uganda supports implementation of the NBSAP while providing for in- vestment in biodiversity conservation. National regulations on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Shar- ing were formulated in 2005, followed by Guidelines for Accessing Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing in Uganda in 2007. A national Clearing House Mechanism was developed and launched in 2013 to promote and fa- cilitate technical and scientific co-op- eration among partner institutions. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rubirizi, Uganda Uganda S ince becoming a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Uganda has made significant progress in implementing it and its Protocols. The CBD has been domesticated in national laws and policies, including the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. In particular, the Government is responsible for taking measures to prevent or minimize damage and destruction to land, air and water resources resulting from pollution or other causes, and for the creation and development of parks, reserves and recreation areas and the conservation of natural resources to safeguard and protect biodiversity. Ghost Presenter on Unsplash