Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Angola is home to five different species of sea turtle. There is also an annual 4 month fishing ban to ensure the sustainability of the industry and that the fish have a chance to replenish [ ] 48 The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Angola’s current biodiversity frame- work is summarized in 10 strategic goals set out in the National Biodi- versity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP 2014–2020). The country has been particularly successful in strate- gic goal 2 — Increase the representa- tion of biomes and ecosystems of Angola in the areas of environmental protection. The creation of three national parks — Maiombe, Luiana and Mavinga — increased the areas of protected land by 86,000 km 2 . Also, a rehabilitation effort was made for the regional park of Chi- maravela by increasing management and supervision infrastructures there. To further increase the amount of biomes and ecosystems in the support of biodiversity, the NBSAP encourages farmers to apportion 1 per cent of their agricultural land to the growing of trees. The link between development, industry and the environment has been strengthened by the new NBSAP goals. Previously, many sectors were not identified with the strategy because they considered conservation to be a unique and exclusive mandate of the Ministry of Environment. In response to this, the NBSAP 2014–2020 attempts to integrate all economic sectors that have an influence on biodiversity, and to identify biodiversity conser- vation actions within the framework of their activities and make adequate allocation of funds when drafting the proposal of their annual budget. In the light of this, all projects require environmental licenses, ahead of all other licenses. At the end of any given project or development, a process of study and assessment of the possible negative consequences for biodiver- sity and related mitigation measures take place, in addition to consultation with the local communities involved in the project. In Angola, public-private part- nerships have been successful with regard to biodiversity conservation. Many companies operating with- in the country fund conservation actions for the benefit of endangered species. Such actions include the Palanca Project and the Kitaban- ga Project. Many companies have become sensitive to the necessity of these obligations. Efforts made by the government, citizens and businesses to change perceptions towards con- servation have culminated in a great increase of protected areas and con- servation projects. In just two years from 2012 to 2014, Angola doubled its protected land area from 6.6 per cent to 12.53 per cent of the total, approxi- mating157,000 km 2 . Specific conservation projects have taken place for the protection of several species including sea turtles (of which there are five species in Angola), mountain zebras, hyenas, gorillas and chimpanzees. W ith over 50 per cent of Angola’s population living in rural areas, the daily survival of each person is influenced by the quality of biodiversity. Virtually all activities carried out in rural areas — agriculture, livestock, artisanal fisheries, livelihood, hunting, house construction — depend on it. Angola has nine national parks and four wildlife reserves totalling 156,909 km 2 (13 per cent of the total land area). The Angolan territory has a forest area of 53 million ha (43 per cent of the total area), a hydrographic network of 47 basins, and a coastline of approximately 1,650 km. Viewpoint of the Moon, Belas, Angola Jorge Sá Pinheiro on Unsplash Angola