National Policy on Natural Resources Conservation and Development

REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA Bots"'7"a.r:i.a. Na.tior:i.a.l Cor:i.se:r-v-a.tior:i. St:ra.tegy NATIONAL POLICY ON NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT PAPER NO. 1 of 1990 As a.pp:ro-v-ed by the Na.tior:i.al Assembly Ori the 17th December 1990 Prin.ted By The Go-v-err:i.mer:i.t Pririter Ga. b o:ror:i.e TABLE OF CONTENTS Paragraphs 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ...................... 1.1-1.5 2. STRATEGY GOALS ................................... 2.1-2.3 3. MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES ...... 3.1-3.5 4. THE STRATEGY FRAMEWORK ANO MEASURES .............. 4.1-4.10 5. STRATEGY FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION: INDIVIDUAL ISSUES 5.1-5.9 Solution package for the pressure on water resources issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. 2 Solution package for the rangeland pasture degradation issue ...... . ....................... 5.3-5.4 Solution package for the depletion of wood resources i ssue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . 5 Solution package for the overuse of veld products issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. 6 Solution package for industrial/urban pollution and the enhancement of settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. 7-5. 8 Solution package for the conservation of wildlife, heritage and cultural resources ...... 5.9 6. THE EXPECTED BENEFITS········~··················· 6.1-6.5 7. PRE-REQUISITES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION ...... 7.1-7.13 1 . INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1 . 1 In 1983 the Government of Botswana accepted the need for the preparation of a National Conservation Strategy (NCS). This need emerged from close co-operation between the Government and UNEP in the preparation of the Clearing House Mission Report. That Report reflected the importance attached to identifying policies and other measures, which would ensure, whenever and wherever possible, the sustainability of all future development. 1 .2 The Government attaches great importance to the wide range of natural resources and features which exist throughout Botswana and especially in protected areas: National Parks, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves and the designated Wildlife Management Areas. These resources include fresh air, clean waters, vegetation, livestock, wildlife, soils, human, cultural, visual, archaeological and other related features. It is upon these resources that many people depend directly for their livelihood. Some of the resources are appreciated internationally for their unique values: the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, for example. 1. 3 There is clear evidence that many of these resources are under pressure. In some cases, this has given rise to concern about the ability of the resources to sustain the needs of future generations. The impacts of these development pressures are manifest by: a) the depletion of fuelwood resources, groundwater resources, wildlife species and indigenous veld products resources; b) land erosion; c) urban and rural pollution; as well as d) rangeland degradation . 1 .4 The Government has long been committed to 'sustainable development'. It is one of the four main planning objectives of the National Development Plan. Sustainable development entails ensuring that: a) present generations consume no more than the annual output or yield of those natural resources which are renewable; and that thereby b) future generations have access to capital stocks of natural resources, at least similar to those presently available. 2 Achievement of sustainable development calls for comprehensive evaluation of environmental and economic implications before major new developments are undertaken. Consistent with this, the Natural Conservation Strategy is specifically geared : a) at a minimum, to conserving the sustainability of the country's natural resources; b) at best, to improving the ways in which these resources are used, so that the environment is enhanced. The applies particularly wherever new developments, settlements and industries are involved. The importance attached to 'sustainable development' in Botswana mirrors the experience in other countries where National Conservation Strategies have been prepared. The concept is supported by SADCC neighbours, as well as by many international donor agencies and conservation organizations; UNEP and the World Conservation Union, in particu l ar. 1.5 Against this background the Government of Botswana has prepared a National Conservation Strategy, in full consultation with all levels of society in Botswana. 2. STRATEGY GOALS 2 .1 The primary goals in formulating the Strategy are to pursue policies and measure which : a) increase the effectiveness with which natural resources are used and managed, so that beneficial interactions are optimised and harmful environmental side-effects are minimized; b) integrate the work of the many sectoral Ministries and interest groups throughout Botswana, thereby improving the development of natural resources through conservation, visa versa. 2.2 A series of detailed Strategy goals has also been identified by Government. These specifically cover: Deve)opment goals, namely: i. the development of new and qetter natural resources uses, which are sustainable; ii. the optimization of the existing uses which are made of all natural resources; 3 iii. the development of multiple, rather than single purpose, natural resource uses; iv. the diversification of the rural economy so as to generate new jobs; ~ v. the increased education of, and participation by, all members of society in improving the environment; vi. the development of links with neighbouring countries in conserving resources; vii. the establishment of a balance between population growth and the supply of natural resources. Conservation goals, namely: i. the conservation of all main ecosystems, wildlife and cultural resources; ii. the protection of endangered species; iii. the maintenance of stocks of renewable resources (e.g. veld products), whilst increasing their sustainable yields; iv. the control of the depletion of exhaustible resources (e.g. minerals) at optimal rates; v. the distribution of incomes and rewards more equitably, in the interests of conserving natural resources; vi. the cost-effective restoration of degraded renewable natural resources, including improved capacity for regeneration of the veld; vii. the prevention and control of pollution. 2.3 Fulfillment of these detailed goals entails designing development so as to minimize environmental costs and to enhance the quality of the environment. It likewise requires that, when 'trade-offs' have to be made involving the use of natural resources, full account is taken of the environmental and social costs as well as the economic costs. \ 4 3. MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES 3.1 Extensive public consultations have been carried out by Government in identifying the main environmental issues and opportunities, which need to be addressed in formulating and implementing the strategy. 3.2 The main environmental issues/problems requiring solutions are as follows : Issue (A) Growing pressure on water resources, resulting from increases in population, urbanization and development; Issue (8) Degradation of Rangeland Pasture Resources, due to a variety of management and other factors. Quantification is difficult . However, two facts are generally recognized , namely that: a significant proportion of the national range is undergoing degradation; and such degradation cannot be ascribed solely to drought; Issue (C) Depletion of wood resources both in commercial harvest of forests and as the main source of domestic fuel in most settlements. Wood harvesting has been largely undertaken in an uncontrolled manner. Insufficient regard has been paid to ensuring that yi~lds are sustainable; Issue (D) Over-use or exploitation of some veld products (natural products of the desert: fruits, fungi, tubers, etc.}. This has damaged their regenerative capacities to provide for both subsistence and commercial needs; Issue (E) Pollution of air, water, soil and vegetation resources. As a result human life support systems in both urban (including industrial} and rural environments are affected. ·The Government of Botswana recognizes the dependence of all sustainable development upon water resources. Accordingly the need to pay priority attention to these resources is accepted. At the same time, both the restoration and conservation of rangelands are regarded as matters of particular significance, in view of the importance of the livestock industry to the nation. 5 3.3 The Strategy also addresses other issues which have an important bearing upon the conservation of natural resources and thus the quality of the Botswana environment. These include resource pressures due to the growth in human population; the depletion and conservation of wi)dlife resources; and the~ need for improving public awareness about natural resource problems and opportunities. 3.4 The main sustainable development opportunities based on natural resources, which require support from the Government and all interested parties are: a) Opportunities in the Livestock Sector through the restoration of degraded rangelands and the adoption of improved management techniques leading to increased offtakes; b) Opportunities in the Arable Sector related in particular to the irrigated production of food and cash crops, in the int~rests of maintaining strategic food supplies; c) d) e) f) g) h) Opportunities in the Forestry Sector for increasing its contribution to the national economy through improved management methods; Opportunities . in the F1sheries Sector for significantly increasing the annual sustainable harvest from both the natural waters of the country and several man-made dams; opportunities for establishing and developing a Wildlife Utilization Industry, consistent with the Government's Wildlife Conservation Policy; Opportunities for sustained development of both existing and new Veld Products, based on the results of research; Opportunities for expanding the Tourism Sector, consistent with the proposed Tourism Policy; Opportunities for developing the Manufacturing and Related Industries Sector. This requires that due regard be paid to the need both for the removal of serious development constraints and for the establishment of new initiatives. These were identified at the National Conference on Strategies for Private Sector Development, held in 1988. 3.5 Major aims associated with the realization of these opportunities are the generation of more jobs and the 6 improvement of both per capita and household income levels . Under this strategy the importance of developing the linkages between the different natural resources is recognized. This applies particularly in the cases of water and human resources; livestock, wildlife, water and vegetation resources . 4 . THE STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND MEASURES 4 . 1 This White Paper outlines the Government ' s future strategy for the conservation of natural resources based upon the recommendations in the National Conservation Strategy Report. The Strategy provides an overall framework for the policies and measures , which will enable the key issues to be effectively addressed, as well as the opportunities to be realized. 4 . 2 The proposed framework involves the adoption of a blend of approaches. This is based upon continued, strong intervention by Government in the use and management of natural resources. The blend consists of three approaches : first, a continuation of the existing interventionist approach under which a combination o~ · laws, price incentives and fiscal reliefs in effect determine the dominant land uses; secondly , the present system of resource allocation based on 'reasonable rationing' and zonation. This is manifest by the form of National Parks, Game and Forest Reserves, TGLP Ranches, Freehold and Leasehold Farms, mixed Farming Areas and designated Wildlife Management Areas (W.M.A.s) ; thirdly, the multi - purpose (integrated) use and management of resources. In essence, this approach, wherever appropriate, calls for dual or multiple use to be made of resources. Combinations of enterprises are thereby sustained. Just as in the past, a mixture of approaches has been adopted, so too a combination - albeit different in composition - is appropriate in formulating the Strategy . Whereas the first and second approaches have dominated in the past, it is felt that the third an~ second are likely to be particularly relevant in future. 4.3 In adopting this mixed approach, the importance of maintaining a strong livestock industry is recognized. At the same time, in view of the overgrazing problem, it is consider ed that there is a strong case for diversification. This entails developing market economies for resource uses 7 additional to livestock and crop production. 4.4 Diversification, in effect, entails harnessing the many 'sustainable development' opportunities outlined in Section 3. It is well recognized, however, that these opportunities are by no means exclusive. Whilst they will undoubtedly help to relieve the pressure on the natural resources used by the Livestock Sector, expansion of the latter is not precluded. However, diversification is also sought through re-investment of Mineral Sector revenues; through developing a broader base of manufacturing and related industries; and through the establishment of a Financial Investment Services Sector. 4.5 Another main feature of the Strategy framework is to provide added support for the implementation of existing Government policies (e.g. The Wildlife Conservation Policy, F.A.P., T.G.L.P., etc.) where these have major significance for the achievement of NCS goals. 4.6 The Government also endorses the need for vigorous and carefully co-ordinated participation by all different groups within the community towards implementing the Strategy. These include village elders and members; District Councillors; Local Government, Central Government and Parastatal officials; members of the NGO Community; private sector companies; teachers and researchers, etc. 4.7 At a more detailed level the Strategy framework consists of four different types of measures. The Government is committed to these in the interests of achieving the NCS goals, diversification in particular. These measures are: a) the provision of economic incentives and the use of disincentives. These are required respectively to stimulate sustainable development and to discourage over-utilization (exploitation) of natural resources; b) the enforcement of existing laws/regulations and, where appropriate, the introduction of new legislation; c) the improvement of planning and administrative procedures. This requires that full recognition is given to ecological needs, through the definition of resource use zones; d) the expansion of facilities directed to improving environmental education, training and research activities, as well as to raising public awareness about environmental issues. It is envisaged that conservation education will be specifically .included in school and teacher training college curricula. 8 4.8 In outline, six general types of incentives are envisaged, namely those which will: i. promote good pasture management; ii, encourage rangeland restoration; iii, encourage diversification into new economic enterprises through an extension of FAP and other instruments; iv. provide annual awards to the winners of Environmental Improvement Competitions; v. encourage land tenure changes, especially in communal grazing which lead to improved management; vi. establish new forms of investment opportunities. At the same time the Government intends to investigate in detail the design of appropriate disincentives for possible use in conserving the country's natural resources. 4.9 It is recognized that legislative re~orm can play an important role both in addressing most of the key issues and in supporting diversification. However, it is acknowledged that, in the short-term, there is a limit to the improvements which can be achieved through legislative measures. This applies to measures of all types: ~nforcement, reform and innovat~on. There is general recognition that: a) too much reliance upon legislation should be avoided; b) high priority needs to be accorded to persuading and encouraging the public to act in ways which are environmentally benign. Subject to these caveats, the Strategy calls for a series of improved enforcement measures and amendments to existing laws. These include improving the penal sanctions for 'law breakers', so that punishments fit the offenses, and encouraging the participation of local NGOs in enforcement activities. The laws and items for which amendments are proposed include the Forest Act, the~ National Parks Act, the Fauna Conservation Act, the Water Act, the Atmospheric Pollution (Prevention) Act, the dual grazing rights aspects of the Tribal Land Act, the strengthening of the Land Boards under the Agricultural Resources Act. Some of these 9 amendments are already in hand. In addition an Act, specifically in support of the NCS, is proposed. The objectives of this are outlined in Section 7. 4 . 10 The Government intends to use these four general measures in devising a series of 'solution packages' for addressing the issues and opportunities, summarized in Section 3. 5. STRATEGY FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION - INDIVIDUAL ISSUES 5.1 In devising the 'solution packages' for the key issues, prime consideration has been paid to: a) the acceptability of the solutions to the main target groups; b) the proven technical and financial feasibility of the solutions; c) the availability of institutional capacities necessary for effective implementation; d) the need to establish incentives, which will make the results of diversification into new rural enterprises as financially attractive as those obtained from livestock and ...arable production. Solution Package for the Pressure on Water Resources Issue 5.2 The solution package devised for dealing with this issue is necessarily wide-ranging. It includes improved planning and administrative measures in the interests of both protecting water resources against pollution and improving multi purpose use. Gradual extension of the water tariff system into rural areas also features; likewise, the possible introduction of an incentive to encourage the collection of rain water. Most important is the role which the National Water Master Plan, currently under preparation, is expected to play as forming one of the essential cornerstones for implementation of the research measures, it is proposed that priority attention should focus upon: groundwater resources and their recharge rates; rainfall harvesting and water storage methods; recycling of treated effluent; pollution prevention; and inter-regional water transfers. Solution Package for the Rangeland Pasture Degradation Issue 5.3 Of all the issues, this is recognized to be the one which is the hardest to resolve. Whilst many of the solutions have generally been known for considerable time, they run counter 10 to traditional customs. Thus implementation progress is likely to be slow . However, there is general support for a number of practical initiatives which include: i. strengthening the Range Ecology Unit within MOA; ii. extending the zoning and gazetting of land for use of livestock and wildlife; iii. developing a comprehensive water supply policy for all forms of livestock and wildlife; iv. improving the provision of information to livestock farmers concerning carrying capacities; v. improving livestock marketing infrastructure to improve offtake. Price incentives are proposed towards improving rangeland management, thereby helping to reduce overgrazing and restore degraded rangelands. The Government intends to pursue those, which, following further study, offer the best prospects. 5,4 Legal reforms will inevitably continue to present problems. However, the Government is committed to continuing to devise legislation which will lead to improvements in the management of both rangelands and livestock. In addition, continued attention will be paid to finding politically acceptable ways of improving the enforcement of the Tribal Land Act and Agricultural Resources.Conservation Act. The provision of professional and technical advisers in support of the Land Boards is recognized to be a crucial step forward, along w~th the introduction of further educational, training and research programmes. Solution Package for the Depletion of Wood Resources Issue 5.5 In recognition of both the potential importance and expansion of the Forestry Sector, the Government intends to up-date its Forestry Policy and, most importantly, to provide a comprehensive National Forestry Management Plan. The purpose of both exercises will be to improve the management of existing resources; to establish additional woodland areas; and to develop an economii.cally viable Forestry Industry in Botswana, Great importance is attached to ensuring that each community will have good access to 'insitu' woodland resources. Consistent with these objectives and initiatives, the Government intends to commission a study investigating the roles which financial incentives and other forms of Government assistance should 11 fulfil in conserving and managing timber resources. This study will include the incentives required to assist the effective establishment and management of windbreaks, woodlots and amenity tree plantations. The need to encourage the use of wood substitutes is appreciated by Government, alon~ with the possibility of introducing subsidies to assist poorer sectors of the community in making the substitution. Legislative reform of both the Forest and Agricultural Resources Conservation Acts is proposed, specifically to make the replanting and associated protection of trees a mandatory responsibility for all communities. Inevitably the solution package includes an array of education, training and research programmes, to which Government will procure and allocate the requisite funds. The Government is considering setting up a multi sectoral Forest Advisory Committee to implement the improvements required in the Forestry Sector. Solution Package for the Overuse of Veld Products Issue 5.6 As part of its programme encouraging economic diversification the Government intends to foster the sustained development of a veld products industry. Efforts will be made to concentrate commercial production in specific farm or plantation areas, specially licenced for the purpose by the Land Boards. The selective introduction of price incentives and capital grants will be investigated for the commercialization of new veld products. Strenuous efforts will continue to be made to ensure that under the Agricultural Resources Conservation Act, veld product communities are both restored and protected against exploitation. A major public educational campaign is proposed as an important component of the package, covering all aspects of veld products: values, availability, harvesting techniques, storage and processing, commercial cultivation projects, the use of substitutes, etc. Solution Package for Industrial/Urban Pollution and the Enhancement of Settlements 5.7 The Government intends to introduce a package of measures for the conservation of those natural resour~es, which are in jeopardy through the development of industries and settlements. As part of the anti-pollution initiatives, both the establishment of waste processing factories and the introduction of incentives to encourage recycling are to be investigated. Measures are already being taken and will cont i nue to be taken to enforce and tighten existing legislation . These measures apply to the Atmospheric Pollution (Prevention) Act, the Water Act and the Public Health Act. Amendments will cover all aspects of licensing, registration, reclamation, waste disposal, industrial 12 discharge, the import and export of chemicals, emission/waste standards, and the siting and use of dumps for the disposal of hazardous wastes. All amendments will be based on the 'polluter pays' principle! In addition, for safety reasons, consideration will be given to the possible introduction of legislation concerning the use, storage, labelling and marketing of all agricultural chemicals. Again, a series of public awareness campaigns will be undertaken by Government concerning all aspects of pollution prevention and control. 5,8 In the interests of enhancing all new development, industries and settlements in particular, the Government intends to encourage the enforcement of all aspects of the Town and Country Planning Act. Special attention will be paid to: a) conserving natural resources within the planning areas of all settlements; b) ensuring the improved provision, design and management of human settlements, including public open space and recreation facilities. The Government appreciates the need to undertake these improvements in the interests of encouraging investment in diversified new enterprises on a joint venture basis. Solution Package for the Conservation of Wildlife, Heritage and Cultural Resources 5,9 This package of measures has been devised in the interests of assisting both the wildlife utilization and tourism industries. The proposed planning, management and incentive measures include: a) the gazettement of the designated WMAs; b) the upgrading of some game reserves so as to extend the protection given to all forms of wildlife; c) the adjustment of some National Park boundaries to include a number of areas recommended in 1976 for gazettement, on account of their botanical interest and to consider the Linyanti - Savuti t,.riangle as part of the Chobe National Park of a WMA, as only some 10 km of river swamp frontage is presently protected in the Park; d) th~ preparation and implementation of management plans; e) the provision of increased anti-poaching controls; and 13 f) the execution of wildlife cropping projects, primarily for the benefit of local communities. Support is also provided for unification of the National Parks Act (Cap 38/03) and the Fauna Conservation Act (Cap 38.01) for the years 1967 and 1961 respectively. Accomplished in ~rinciple, this unification is now awaiting final approval. 6. THE EXPECTED BENEFITS 6,1 The «solution packages' and initiatives proposed under the Strategy are expected to yield several benefits in both the short and longer term. Three main types of benefits are envisaged: conservation/protection of the environment; environmental development; and community gains. 6.2 The principal conservation and protection benefits include reductions in habitat losses; increases in the populations of both endangered and threatened wildlife species; the protection of all natural and cultural areas of outstanding value; and the restoration of degraded rangeland pastures and eroded areas. The changes will benefit the wildlife utilization, livestock and tourism industries, in particular. Improvements in the conservation and cost effective use of water will benefit all sectors of the economy and communi~y. The same applies in the case of the pollution prevention and control improvements. 6.3 Development, based on a policy of diversification, will help to enhance both the economic and physical environments. Not only will new enterprises, industries and investment opportunities be generated under the Strategy, but employment openings will grow. 6.4 Under the Strategy both rural and urban communities are expected to benefit; not just in economic and physical ways but socially also, Community participation - especially through Annual Environmental Award Schemes - is expected to grow. 6 . 5 7. 7 . 1 Collectively these benefits are expected to be substantial. As a consequence, the Government is justified in making special provisions to implement the Strategy through new institutions and resource allocations. / PRE-REQUISITES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION It is generally agreed that successful implementation of the Strategy calls for close liaison. This involves all 14 Ministries and other interested parties: NGOs, the University, the private sector, etc. Thus, Government intends both to strengthen existing organizations and to provide new administrative structures. The latter include: a) establishing an appropriate organizational authority, which will have prime responsibility for both co ordinating implementation of the NCS and maintaining close links with the National Development Plan process; b) providing an extensive consultative framework within which such an authority can effectively operate. It will involve all levels of society in Botswana. 7.2 The three institutional measures which the Government proposes to take are to: a) establish an NCS Advisory Board, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Local Government and Lands. The Board will report to Cabinet through the Minister. Membership of the Board shall include senior representatives of all relevant sectoral and other Ministries, as well as representatives of Local Authorities, the Chiefs, parastatals, NGOs, the private sector, the business community aqd special interest groups; b) establish an NCS Co-ordination Agency. The main functions of this will include servicing the Board, co ordinating the execution of its decisions and liaising with other organizations to e.nsure that the NCS goals and objectives are achieved. The Agency shall initially be located in the Ministry of Local Government and Lands, until otherwise determined in consultation with the Directorate of Public Service Management; c) designate Environmental Liaison Officers (ELOs) within each of the Central and Local Government Ministries/Departments. They would be responsible for ensuring that their organizations comply with the NCS Act once passed, and for liaising closely with the NCS Co-ordination Agency. In the case of the relevant Central Government Ministries, the nomination of Environmental Liaison Officers may involve formalizing the representation of the organizations which attend the Inter-Ministerial Co-ordinating Environmental Sub Group (ICES). It is envisaged that, at the District level, liaison officers will be designated. The importance of ensuring development of the necessary links and regular liaison between Ministries, Department and Local Authorities is well recognized. 15 The NCS Advisory Board shall have statutory advisory powers in so far as these are compatible with the re~ponsibilities of Ministries. 7.3 The Government intends to submit to the National Assembly a Bill, which will cover the measures proposed under the NCS. This enabling lsgislation will be referred to as ttThe NCS Act". It will include the following: a) the requirement that all sectoral Ministries, Departments, Local Authorities, parastatals, etc., shall, in the course of their work, show due regard for the conservation and enhancement of the environment in the interests of achieving sustainable development; b) the need for the sectoral Ministries of Government, in particular, to work closely with the NCS Co-ordination Agency in discharging their environmental responsibilities; c) the necessity for new development projects (public and private) to be accompanied by professionally prepared and approved Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs); d) the obligation for the NCS Agency to prepare annual/biennial State of the Environment Reviews; e) the provision of necessary powers, whereby Planning and other Authorities can be required to prepare conservation and resource strategies at District/Local levels and to review them regularly; f) the encouragement which Government intends to give to NGOs in sharing responsibility for both conservation and enhancement of the nation's environment. 7.4 The NCS Advisory Board is intended to play an important· role in the operation of the NCS Act. In cases of doubt concerning the discharge of environmental obligations by organizations and individuals under the Act, the Board will provide guidance on how the obligations may best be met. The Board will similarly advise organizations where it believes that the environment is being compromised through either policies or activities which merit review. In addition, the Board will be responsible for presenting and annual/biennial State if the Environment Report and for co ordinating reviews of environmental legislation. 7.5 It is envisaged that both the NCS Advisory Board and Co ordination Agency will play major roles in helping to implement the EIA provision under "The NCS Act". The \ 16 purpose of the assessments will be to enable competent authorities to reach decisions on public and private development projects with the benefit of a full understanding of the environmental, as well as the economic and social, costs which will be incurred in both the short and longer-term. 7.6 There is general agreement that effective implementation of the Strategy will involve a range of additional tasks, including planning and co-ordinating policies, analyzing and executing research priorities, establishing educational and training programmes, overseeing promotional and information campaigns, etc. 7.7 One of the principal functions of the Agency will be to advise and support the existing line Ministries/Departments and Local Authorities in discharging their various environmental responsibilities. This will include co ordinating and helping with, as appropriate, the work entailed in undertaking found main types of environmental projects, namely those: i. undertaken at Village and District level, with NGO involvement; I ; ii. undertaken by other Ministries, Government Departments and parastatals, at national level; iii. initiated and managed by the Agency itself, with inputs from other Ministries and organizations as appropriate; iv. undertaken either jointly with or through NGOs. 7.8 In the undertaking of all the functions, the roles of both the NCS Advisory Board and the Co-ordination Agency will be to complement rather than duplicate the activities of existing organizations. 7.9 It is acknowledged that successful implementation of many of the Strategy proposals and projects will call for the continued support and involvement of NGOs. Most importantly, the implementation provisions outside of Government will involve the private sector: in particular, the leading commercial companies and developers, the hoteliers and safari c ompanies, ~he banking, engineering and property development professions, etc. Such participation will be encouraged by Government . 17 7.10 It is recognized that implementation of the NCS involving all sectors of the community, will require the allocation and deployment of additional resources. Government accepts responsibility for providing the necessary lea(!i by contributing resources to: • a) the formulation and execution of all policies directed to the sustainable development and conservation of all natural resources: water, rangelands, woodland and timber, veld products and wildlife in particular; b) the establishment of the proposed new institutions; c) the provision of 'solution packages' for environment problems and development opportunities; d) the formulation and execution of projects at national, district and village levels; e) the conduct of research and development programmes; f) the provision of conservation orientated extension services; g) the introduction of additional education and training facilities; h) the formulation and implementation of EIA procedures; i) the organization of promotional and information campaigns required in support of the NCS; j) the advancement of environmental data systems; k) the preparation of management plans for all National Parks, Game/Forest Reserves, WMAs and other important conservation areas and features; 1) the ratification, where appropriate, of International Natural Resource Conservation Conventions; m) the provision of support and appropriate assistance to conservation NGOs and private sector organizations in the execution of their responsibilities. 7.11 Government accepts that implementation of the Strategy calls for the provision of significant additional resources, covering four specific requirements : First, there are resources required for both the establishment and operation of both the NCS Advisory 18 Board and NCS Co-ordinating Agency. The role of the Co-ordinating Agency will be to co-ordinate a range of natural resource planning and managerial issues, EIA work and the co-ordination of environmental improvement measures . In recognition of the fact that the potential agenda for change under the NCS is large, the Government endorses the appointment of highly experienced personnel to the NCS Advisory Board and to the NCS Co ordinating Agency. Secondly, there are the additional funds required to cover the adjustments within existing Government organizations, in order that they can play their full part in the implementation of the NCS . Thirdly, there will be the need for resources to undertake the special training, R&D, data collection, monitoring and promotional programmes outlined earlier . Fourthly, a programme for the implementation of projects phased over a five year period, will need to be funded. In total 42 P,riority project proposals hav e been recommended by the r espective Ministries, in the course of preparing their NCS Technical Reports. It is recognized that, in implementing the Strategy, Government resources will need to be complemented by contributions from the private sector and the donors. 7.12 It is intended to implement the Strategy through an Action Plan, which will be monitored as part of the NDP process. 7.13 The Government is committed to ensuring the success of the Strategy and specifically the achievement of its twin goals: sustainable development through and with the conservation of natural resources.