National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025

This policy is prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 2 FOREWORD BY THE PRIME MINISTER Malaysia’s biological diversity is among the richest in the world. Our rainforests harbour an enormous range DATO’ SRI MOHD. NAJIB BIN TUN HAJI ABDUL RAZAK NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 3 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 SECTION 1 15 INTRODUCTION SECTION 2 29 GOALS, TARGETS AND ACTIONS SECTION 3 75 IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 5 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 6 MOF Ministry of Finance NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US areas house important ecosystems such as mangrove forests and diverse coral reefs. These natural ecosystems NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 8 POLICY STATEMENT PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLE 1: Heritage. responsibility of all sectors of society. manner. . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 9 GOALS, TARGETS AND ACTIONS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 10 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 11 IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK inter alia biodiversity. MONITORING AND REVIEW OF PROGRESS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 12 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 13 Freshwater swamp forest NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 14 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 15 OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY Malaysia’s forests and seas are among the most diverse on the planet. Our variety of ecosystems and abundance have intrinsic religious and spiritual values and as being an important element in our wellbeing. that our biodiversity is duly safeguarded. shared. THE NEED FOR THIS POLICY enable us to protect our biodiversity in the coming years. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 16 BIODIVERSITY TREASURES OF MALAYSIA natural ecosystems comprise of an immense are some of the richest in all of the world’s oceans. Many of these are of global importance. of the total land area . containing a high degree of endemism. The orchids . as well as being a source of marble and raw material for the . Freshwater swamps and peatlands are important habitats for a variety of plants and animals. Malaysia supports some in a wonderful web of life. The logo depicts the richness of mother and child in the logo signify the role of women and to protect and conserve our rich natural heritage for future use our biodiversity wisely. Tones of green represent the richness of Malaysia’s our biodiversity. Area (ha) NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 17 forest estate8 mangrove areas as Ramsar sites . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 18 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 19 of the other animal groups that are equally diverse throughout the country. each family having its own unique assemblage of frogs and toads. The Members of the Megophyridae family consist of frogs that mostly one of the more familiar group of frogs that feature common species that to portray the diversity of rainforests. This anuran family includes popular NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 20 RATIONALE FOR CONSERVING OUR BIODIVERSITY agricultural crops. Malaysia’s fisheries industry has grown significantly over the last two decades. Marine catches have been . Mangrove swamps are materials for further improvement as food plants. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 21 them truly a natural asset worth conserving. Modern medicine also uses plants and plant products as the . Malaysia’s economic development. There is now a much greater emphasis on sustainable forest management industry. in microphytes consciousness of the value of biodiversity to our people. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 22 THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US and are . found have been converted to other land uses. levels of threat due to development pressures. s in Malaysia NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 23 . such as sewage and sediment that harm reefs and alter marine decline over the past decade . from reaching the water column and submerged plants. Many of with these weeds and have to be regularly cleared. The lotus plants earlier. remains to be done. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 24 due to climate change. to conserve and sustainably use it. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 25 environmental agreements covering a wide range are numerous and we need to strengthen our policy EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY development. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 26 nd rainforest/ nd 8. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 27 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 28 SECTION 2 GOALS, TARGETS AND ACTIONS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 29 POLICY STATEMENT th PRINCIPLES sustainable development. PRINCIPLE 1: Heritage. responsibility of all sectors of society. manner. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 30 OUR GOALS, TARGETS AND ACTIONS resources. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 31 GOAL 1 WE HAVE EMPOWERED AND HARNESSED THE COMMITMENT OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY 1 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 32 GOAL 1 WE HAVE EMPOWERED AND HARNESSED THE COMMITMENT OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY Malaysia’s biodiversity is our shared heritage and that everyone in Malaysia must play his or her part. living treasure. of biodiversity and awareness of what we can all do to conserve our society and harnessing their commitment is fundamental to reaching our goals. GOAL 1 HAS 2 TARGETS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 33 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET Raising awareness and understanding among the people of Malaysia is crucial if we want to protect our biological heritage. connects everyone with biodiversity and ecosystem services. involved in biodiversity research. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 34 strengthen biodiversity literacy in the formal education curricular that will inspire young Malaysians to replicated throughout the country. evidence base about the values and state of biodiversity in Malaysia. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 35 to be custodians of biodiversity have been developed. WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET there is a growing urgency to reconnect people closer to the biodiversity and ecosystems that sustain our way segments of our society to be involved in conservation. [see also action 6.3]. develop and implement community engagement programmes that enable indigenous peoples and local NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 36 referred to locally as or bombon aside as local customary law. and material support in places where areas established planning encourage partnerships with private sector to facilitate science and technology transfer in enhancing the economic value of biodiversity. sustainability in the private sector. and programmes related to biodiversity. . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 37 GOAL 2 WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DIRECT AND INDIRECT PRESSURES ON BIODIVERSITY 2 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 38 GOAL 2 WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DIRECT AND INDIRECT PRESSURES ON BIODIVERSITY There are various direct and indirect pressures on our biodiversity and these pressures must be industries and townships also puts pressure on our biodiversity. development policies and programmes will have and managed in a manner that does not impose undue pressures into account by addressing all relevant sectors at every level GOAL 2 HAS 3 TARGETS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 39 of natural areas and ecosystem services. value. WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? development. MEETING THE TARGET and fauna. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 40 the impacts perverse subsidies . manner. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 41 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? economy. MEETING THE TARGET threatened indigenous animals and plants into forest management programmes. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 42 . protect our marine turtles. biodiversity. determine their impacts on biodiversity and livelihoods. . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 43 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? minimise impacts on biodiversity. MEETING THE TARGET ensure that ecotourism sites have formulated and implemented management plans that include recognised standards. appropriate safeguards into the tour guide training programmes. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 44 develop volunteer placements and internships at ecotourism sites that enable Malaysians as well as NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 45 GOAL 3 WE HAVE SAFEGUARDED ALL OUR KEY ECOSYSTEMS, SPECIES AND GENETIC DIVERSITY 3 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 46 GOAL 3 HAS 8 TARGETS GOAL 3 WE HAVE SAFEGUARDED ALL OUR KEY ECOSYSTEMS, SPECIES AND GENETIC DIVERSITY natural habitats are set aside and protected. These protected areas are connected by corridors of and the movements of animals. eradicate poaching and illegal trade. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 47 formulated. WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET sanctuaries to protect freshwater species. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 48 . and . . [see also . the surrounding landscapes and ecological corridors. see also ] . close contact with nature. The challenge therefore is to create suitable urban habitats for desirable species ensure that urban/regional planning addresses the need to establish and protect adequate green spaces . and gardens. support private landowners to enhance biodiversity in their land by providing tools and guidance. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 49 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 50 ecosystems are legally protected. . WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? against storm surge and carbon storage. are already degraded. MEETING THE TARGET design a targeted approach to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and habitats. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 51 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? ecological corridors. MEETING THE TARGET . [see . comprising mainly of forested highlands along the borders . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 52 [see also . threatening their ecological integrity. our biodiversity while ensuring livelihoods are enhanced. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 53 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? threatened. Reversing these trends is absolutely crucial. MEETING THE TARGET that will stem this threat and subsequently reverse the threatened status of these species. should be used to create an authoritative and widely available national listing of species conservation priorities. review and standardise legislation at national and state levels to protect our animal and plant species. and list. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 54 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 55 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET poaching and illegal wildlife trade. strengthen capacity and improve . wild animals and plants encourage the use of technologies to allow users to report suspected illegal wildlife in trade easily. to stop trading in illegal wildlife products. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 56 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? species in Malaysia. MEETING THE TARGET . [see also water and sediments. assessment. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 57 has been established. WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET target. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 58 increase research on biosafety. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 59 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET wild are not depleted. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 60 GOAL 4 WE HAVE ENSURED THAT THE BENEFITS FROM THE UTILISATION OF BIODIVERSITY ARE ACCRUED EQUITABLY TO ALL 4 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 61 GOAL 4 WE HAVE ENSURED THAT THE BENEFITS FROM THE UTILISATION OF BIODIVERSITY ARE ACCRUED EQUITABLY TO ALL encourage the advancement of biotechnology and research on biological resources which could lead to new discoveries and thereby inter alia identifies biodiversity as a new source of wealth creation. This processes. to GOAL 4 HAS 1 TARGET NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 62 in place. WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET of biological resources. in nature. strengthen the capacity of indigenous peoples and local community organisations to be effective NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 63 communities requires that we recognise the rights of these groups on lands and biological resources to which that are used by indigenous peoples and local communities. medicinal plants such as the and NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 64 GOAL 5 WE HAVE IMPROVED THE CAPACITY, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY 5 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 65 GOAL 5 WE HAVE IMPROVED THE CAPACITY, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY need to be in place. repositories throughout the country will be coordinated be achieved. GOAL 5 HAS 3 TARGETS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 66 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET . . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 67 [see and manage biodiversity. . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 68 completed. been assessed. WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT? MEETING THE TARGET related disciplines. The social sciences/economics will be partnered with the physical and natural sciences to . . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 69 . NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 70 WHY IS THIS TARGET IMPORTANT resources. MEETING THE TARGET and programmes. engagement and partnerships. disbursement. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 71 relevant sectors. areas . resources play an important role in the budgets of the state governments. The revenue bases of the state natural resources and land. programmes. development. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 72 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 73 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 74 SECTION 3 IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 75 A CALL FOR ACTION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION inter alia will NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 76 COORDINATING PLATFORMS coordinate policies on the management of environment and natural resources pertaining to the Federal and environmental and natural resources management. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 77 monitoring the progress towards achieving the goals and targets. the environment. resources. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 78 Research. PHASING develop a more detailed phasing schedule. COMMUNICATING THE POLICY ]. MONITORING PROGRESS conducted smoothly. REVIEW OF ACTIONS NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 79 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 pr iv at e se ct or Ph as e 1 2 3 4 pr oc es se s NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 80 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 de ve lo pm en t pl an ni ng a nd s ec to ra l p ol ic ie s an d pl an s so ci et y ec os ys te m s er vi ce s pl an s Ph as e 1 2 3 4 M an ag em en t of F is he ri es NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 81 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 se ct or se ct or na tu re t ou ri sm a nd p ro m ot e vo lu nt ee ri sm se ct or Ph as e 1 2 3 4 Fi sh er ie s NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 82 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 ec os ys te m s Ph as e 1 2 3 4 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 83 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 sp ec ie s Ph as e 1 2 3 4 be ha vi ou ra l c ha ng e NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 84 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 be fo re t he ir r el ea se Ph as e 1 2 3 4 so ci et y Ph as e 1 2 3 4 NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 85 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 ci vi l s oc ie ty Ph as e 1 2 3 4 m an ag e bi od iv er si ty NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 86 Ph as e 1 2 3 4 M al ay si a’ s bi od iv er si ty pr og ra m m es ch an ge a nd b io di ve rs it y sc ie nc e an d po lic y Ph as e 1 2 3 4 m ec ha ni sm s d M in is tr y of F in an ce NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2016 – 2025 87