Second National Environment Action Plan (NEAP II)

SECOND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ACTION PLAN NEAP I Ministry ol'Home Affairs. Housing Jll(I Environment ~,r Republic Malui ws. Second National Environment Action Plan Ministry of Horne Affairs, I lousing & Environmt'nL 1999 C 0 N T E N T s Fore-iVOrd f-lis Extcllt.:m:y Mr. M(lJunoon AIJdul G,zyoom 2 Pmulenr of th, Rcpu/,/ic ofMaldive, Preface J I. 1heSetting 4 Achievements of the first 1'.'EAP 5 Currenl Environment Policy 7 lmern.itional C-0nrext 8 Second N.11ional EnvironmenL Ar:tiord'bn 9 Framework for Action 10 Aim and Smte_gics /0 Key Issue$ 10 Building Panuer.m~, II Progr;uume Cyde II lll Addressing Key lss11ei 12 Clim:uc ChAAgtaodS&uvel~ 12 Co.istal Zone Man;1g,mem 14 Conserv;1rio11 of Biological Di~er•ity 15 [n«gr.a1ed Rtcf RoS<,>uc~es,..J\:Janagem,c;n.., 16 Sus1:un able fisheries Mfnagcmcnt 18 lmegm oo Wa1et Resoui:ccsM~o"!l"llU'llt 10 M,nagcmem of Solid~~$ ,ai,d Sewage ll Pollution Control ~ml M~naging Hua,fus W'~ 12 StLminahle Tourism O,velopmem J 23 und Resources M¥,agementaril!St1$11~ill•~le A'9et1ltur<t 24 Human Settlementnnd !,(rb,niz,iti~ /, 25 ~Ii IV Strengthenirzglmplemeri(t(tipt 27 Environrnemal l,,1w 1 27 Environmental Administruttion 28 En\·ironment:al Awu en~ss :-.lndt:duc:uion 29 Scie11ceand Research JO I luman Resource Development JI Financing the 1'.'EJ\PZ JI V 1he Way Forward 32 a 0 R E w 0 R D f{i, £m.ll,-ncy.1 Ir. ,1l.u11m/(m ti /xi:,/ G9,x,m President or the Republic or ~lililives Nme ye.us ,1fter1hr.idopuon or our Fir!-t ~mionJI E.aviron· A Imost on the mem Anion Pbn. w~ c:ln he mode('Jtcly ple-.tscd with nur thresliold of the ne"· milieu• ;'lchicvcmt.ms. M:n1r <.tep~ in I h<· righ1 <lir<.-'4:t ion 11:wc b.:cn ruum, we are adopUng our t.i.kcn. \Y/( h.1vcJcvdop<.-d tlu: lcg;il f.r.imcwork forcn\·iron· second Nationol Environment Action Pl,n to ment:U protccLinn through che e.n:.1.ctmenr of the E,wironmeni Procec, i(n\ .lJh.l atldrl"ss the cnvironmt'mal clialleng~ that we Ptcscrv.ition Act. \Y/c havc$trcugthc11cd andstn:-.unli11td the insti1.utiorl.ll m:l· ,re faced with. This i\ction Plan h,,. becn pre- cbinery to monuor and enh.mce the quality of Lhe e.m:ironmem. ln nuny are.ts par<d through wide co11$Ulmtion$ and provides ofenviro11n1cmal policy, we 11:tve 1uJdt.!signific:11u pror?,ress and h:1ve h~un to a fn.mework to guide <ntr effort$ in en~ul"iog m.Uastreilm t'n,·ironruc:otal <:ouc<.·ms imo otb<.·r poljcics. To cnh,mcc thescicn· tba, the Maldives coutinu;:s to develop in • uficbasis forourdecisjon-m.1king, we han initiau..-d rtisearchon environment. sustainable manner whicl.t preserv'es :a nd At the Uuer~;uio1ul level wt h.tvc r.nifieJ the United N.uior1i Fr.u1lt"\,·t,rk enhances lhe quality of ourenvironmem. Convention oo ClimJt~ Ch.mgc. the: Kyol t) PrutO<.'<>I, tl1e C..onwr11ion on Rio• logic-al Diq•r.sity, .md the Convenuon on Tr.msbouodary Moveml'm off bz· Asasm,11 low lying developing Island n,iion, Jtdous \V/.is1es J.Jld their Dispos-:tL The Maldivt's 1.s also-a p:,rry co Litt' Vienna rhc M11ldives h.s 10 come,1d with., number of Convention for tht Protection of the Ozt>ru: l..Jvcr an<l the Montn:.J Protocol majorconstrJ.ims 1n meeting the-challenges or on Subsunce-s th:u Dt~plece Lite Ozone Ltre 1. SIJ$r.1U1,ble development. For ccnturfos we have existed ln lurmony with (1 11r nalur:ll liowcver, we cannot afford to be«1mpl,,ccn1. We s,ill havc· .1 long r,r.,J Jhc.1d of rnvironmont.. adopting lif,stylcs that have us. ~lmy of the- e11vironmem,1l issues th.u were only becoming app,,rem when , !lowed us to live well within our limited we developed 1he Fir.st Nauon:tl Env1rnnmem i\ctton Plan 111 1990 h,we now resources. In "1C('Ot ye.us. however, th~ situ.~tion b.come very real But we hav<-<omc farenough 10 b<:ablc lO sec ourgo.Js m<>r<· h,s r.1pidlr changed. Our popuhuon has de1rfr .a.nd be Jble t0 chJJ't J more0)1,fidem path tlun nine yea.r'i .tg.o. Even so, ll!Cl'l,'".!S<.'dsignilicamly,expanding wi, hit the&,. mony of th< c:h:a.llcng('S th:at we ninfrom tcx.by. ~ud1 a.c: diru:uc dunge and ~a mand for goo,b, services, , nd loci2I pro- level rise, .tre :of such :a grc.tt magnjrncfc th,ll we c,mnot on our own .1.<kjress lhest· gnmmcs. Fisheries and tourism have grown sul>- issues in a me.uungful way. We deeply .:ippn~c1:.nc the assistance t ha l we have st:uui.Uy. All thesefilOlors have increast.J pres· received i 11 1 he pa.st from friendly coum ries and 1ndividu."US. and look fo 1"\'\,\\ n.i co mres on our re.~urcesand. unte.~developmem 1hcircoo1i1..H.1<.'(i co-opcr.nion lS we- step into the new ceruury :md millenniunt isc.1refully pbnned, our fr,gile e,wiroJlment will I,., threatened.

F 0 R E w 0 R D /-IUE..uiilnu.y.\1r.M,u11u,~1 Alxl1JG1:(l().lr1 President of ch, Republic uf .\hld,ves N'ine ye.u~ after che .tdoption ol our Pirsl N;uion;tl Envlron• Al most on die ment Action Pbo, \\'e ca11 be nwd.er:nclv ple.1$00 \\'1th our threshold of the new milieu• :tchicv~me1u~. M,uty iLcps in tht- righ1 direction h:n-<' b<x!n nlum, we are -a.dopring ou,· t.1kt·n. \Vic l1avc <levdopeJ lbr lcg:ll £r.1mcwork for cn\·i ron· $C'tond Nat.ion.ti Environmenl Action Pbn to meoL11 proteL"tion through rhe ~iucrmentof rhe En\'ironmcm Protec1lon .tnd address-the environmental chaUenges rh.u we Pre.sc:f\".:.tion Act, \Vic b.\,·cs1rengthi.·ncd .1nd strc::imlint-d the institution.11 m.1- arc faced with. This Action Plan h.1Sbcen pre- chmery tomonicorand enhance cbe qualicr ol ,he eovironmenc. ln rn.my ,re,s pared through wide consultaUonsand provides of e1witonmcn11l policy, we hlve m..'ll.fo si~nifi1.--am p•·~n.~ .tml luve hc~un to .a. fromewotk 10 gulde out effon.s in tl'l$Ur-in,g cn.WlStrc-;uu cnvironm<.'ntal concc·rns jlllo other policies. To t'JUlJnct tht :scien♦ thl-lt the Mlldivcs continues to develop in ;1 LI.fie basis for our<leci.sion-ruaking. we h,wc iniriau.-d rese-ardi on ~vlronmenr. s-usrninable mann<.!r which pre.serves ,and At 1bt inttma1ion.a.l levd, \Ve:' luvi: r,uifieJ the Uuitc."d :-.:alio1u Fra.-u~work fnhances 1he qui.Hry QfourenvironmenL Corwcntiou on Clim ace Ch.mgc, ttw Kyow Prowcol. 1he C◊Jivcntion on Blo♦ loWc-.tl Diversity. ~md the Convenuon on T r.msbound.uy Movement or I L1z- As asmall low lying developing Island na.uon, ,rdous W,s1es .ind their Dispos.tl. Tho ~.,[dives IS also a pany to ,he Vien111 the Mlldives ha.rni contend with 1 numb;,r of Conwniion fort be Protection of the Ownc La,·cr "'1U the Momrc.tl Protocol major constraints in mecling the ch21lcnges of oo Subn.toces 1h1t Deplete the Ozont L.t~•cr+ .$U;1;wiabl,devdoproen1. Porcemuries we have txistcd in h;arm(')ny with our O.lturai How<....'<'r. wccannotalford to becompl.1<:cnt. \Y/cstillh.wc.1kmgro;1<l,1hC.1dof cnvironmem. odopting lif~ tyle< that have u,. Many oft b.e euvironmcmal issu,-s, h,i were only bccomi.ug,pp.irem when Jliowed us to live well with.in our limited we<.-kvtloped che Firs1 NationaJ E1wironmem Action Plan in 1990 h.l\'e no" rcsourres~ ln nunl years, however, the situation become vt.'f}' n--.il. But we ha,·c come far enough to be.· .1bll' to St-c our go.tls more h.1.s r.ipidly changed. Our- population has dearly .1r1d he able lOch.111 a more co,tfiJ cm p,1th lh.m nine ye-.1.rs Jgo. Even so, incre~sigolficamly. eX]>"lnding ,q.'lth it tl1e d.!- many o( che chalk·nge:s thlt wt c. ·o rlfront t0<.by. ~u<=-h :a d i1'u:u..- ch.u1~c .111d ~.\ m;lnd for goods, set\•iccs:, 11nd .soci.il pro~ levd rise. are o( such ;1 gre-.u magninidl' 1b.u we cannot on our own ~J<lrc."Ss 1hc$C gr.un.mcs. FlShericsmd tourism b.1,-tgrownsub- issues 1n ... meJ11ingful w.,y. Wr deeply appreci.ttc 1-he .a.ssistance that we have stwti.Uy. AU these fac,ors have incre:Ued pres• "-""ived in rhe pJS< Crom friendlv counrries and individual.,. and look forwal\l 10 sureson our resources,md, unlessdcvelopmem their continued co-opcr:u io 11 :as we step imo the new ccmuty and millennium. iscirefutly p~1ned, our fragileenvirorunem will be threatened.

p R E F A C E I D unng the: l.tte J980s ., nombi:r o( activtlit~ \V('.rc ini1ia1ed by various 'iOCtor:1I .1.gt·ncjes of 1ht Government of 1hc: M.1lJl,·es in ordt>r to minimise the :,dvcr"SC' cUccts of en\'ironmtnt;)I degradation. It ~•:ls recognistd hmve\'er th,u .1ction taken <Jn ., sector by St~i:10r ba)iswhile com01rn,bblt was nol t•nough. In addition then- "·as .1 rec()gnition th.u a more i.:ompr!.!hensive ;md imcgratt..J. ;1.pprnach "-'JS required m ordl·r to :lJlow for rnorecoordir1:uion and cooper:.11ion .tmongscthe sectors conn•rned ,md ns tod~.U wjd1 cnvironmenra1 ru~nagcmem action~th.11 might not be addressed through individual .tppro.Khes. .i. wJr In 1')88 with the rni.-.1.1ncc of Ihe United NJtions Enviro111nc1u Prvgr.tnune (UNE-P} and tht Uni1cd >Jations Develop· mt:nl Pro~r.1.mme- (UNDP) .~study WIIS ,oruoussioned for We purpose of iJrnti£ying components of Lhc cavirournem .ind its r<.·wur«-s most vulncr.1.ble to n,uurJI.:inJ amhropogcnic(:hange-s. Th< finJin~ and r1.•coinmcud.1tions of 1 his 5tudy v.<ere dcliber· ,,tc:d ,11 ,, workshop hdd in Ocwb<r I989, The Workshop drew up rhc first N.u.ioaal Environmem Acriou Pl,lll, which would pro,·1ck the policy fr.t.me,.vork forC'~rryiug om enviro11mcnt.1J m.1 n.tgcmcm .mcf pfonning for the Maldive~. The pi.Jn was "iuh~c... qucndy re\'itw<.-d .:ind apprm·ed by 1hc N:uion.il Corn mission for Pmt~·tion of chc Env1ro11mem and ha~ SCr\'t..J J.s a ~uide for thc ensuing seven ycan:, Since the fonnulation .utd ~doption of chc first N.uion.iJ Er.wirol\mcm Anion PLm the: i.:ontext for~onomic development and m.,n.Jger11c.nt o( the c.nvironmcnr h,lS ch,1oged;,. gre:u deal. To"rism. fisheries :tnd other sectors ha\'c cvolv1..od a.ad t'Xp.mdc:d, ,mdthcrelus lx:cua.o incre:i.~ iu Lhc population a.ndolhcrdemog.r.'lphic:ch.mges.. which h,wcincrea~d Lhen.·al .;ind potent1JJ tl1n.-.ns to the t"nvir<>nml·nt of rheC'Qt111try. A.s a result, it ,v.i.s felt Limely to review the st:lruso( thr implemem:niou of lhe first N.1tional l;nvoronmcm Anion Pl.in ,utd formul.ur the second NJtionJI Environmrm Action Pl.in b;tM?d on the i't'Slllt, achieved and withiu the curr<nt conlex.t of the ~t:.He o( economic ,tnd social development of the coumry. The S<.':Cond ~.ltio!1.1l E1wironmem Ac1 ion Phrn J!so has Ix-en dr,1\\•n up white giving due .uttntion to the COltntry·soblig.11 ion~ under 1hl' new inrc:m,uion.tJ ~md rction,11 eovirou.tt1enul 1.:onve:nt.ious .1nJ Jgrcc-mcnts. ,\ re\'iew .m:ily-s.isof the fint National Environmcma1 Ac110,1 Piao WjS unden;tk1..·11 during April to November 19.97. 5<-\'Cll work.mg groups nude up olindivl<luals from Gowmme.nt. NGO$ ~nd the p1iv.ut• M.'~1orcontrib111ed to 1h<" review pmcess. The- •.vork.ing ~roups were c.:onrcmc<l wi1h: water, wasl<.' and s:ini,~uior.: imegr.tt«I CO'JStal zone m,inagcntcnt; pbnning. urban d~\·t•lop-- m<:nl ..1.n<lfnnronmt;nt.11 imp.tct .usessment; ~on$crvJ1ionorhinlogl,,ll diver~i1r; ins1iu.1tioni.l mT11ngen11.'.ntSi cap,icity buikhug; .md fin:.m:t: .in<l ~mn:c mohi1isation. This .malysis w.i.., undcrl.lkc-o wuh the .1ss1stanceof Lhc Uniu:d Nauons Dl:vdopmcm Progr,'llnm~. Doring the period. st\Jd1cs of i:.·n,,iroumcm.11 .1dml:11i~r.uion and er'I\ ironmcma) imp,1ct ., ...,r~,mem pt0t..-es.~t~ ,:ind pr01:edut'o U-1 th.:-cot10ll)' were Jlso t:.1rric.,IQUI with rhe .issist,mce oi rhr Ui'\'DP. Jn .-ckfo ion, the MioiS'I ry o( J (t",1lth ,tnd lhc En\'ironmc111 Mio.i.stry conducted ink'f· S<.."<tor.J consuh.nioos on ht.1.kb JJtd environment. T he re5ulu o( th,:w srn<lit'S :.lnJ coruuh~uions b.1ve lx:cn t~k~u imo account ia prcp.uing the :.t.'C011J N,uion.ll En\1iro1101t'nL At·tion Pljn. rhc.· pl'eparalion o( the second N..1tion~I Etwiro11men1Action Pl.m h.tS alw bc.-nt'fi.ted froo1 1he r~a that the 5'b N:uion.11 De,-dopment 1'1,trt hJ~ IH.-en prcpa..rt!"U Juring 1-tu; s~c peri<Hi Thi,. h~ts m;1de iLpos:.ible to ~nsure th,H 1hr second N:nion.11 E.twirorrmenl Anion Pl:tn ~nd the N~tion..1.I De\ldopmem l'b,1are (Omp31.ible ,rnd cornplcmem:11)'.

On the basis of the r<>uh, of the above ci,ed runsulmions, • Jr.,(t for rhe second Na1ional Environmcru:u Aetion Pion W,\S prep.ired and deliberated •t mee1jngs of rhe working groups and also ,,t • m<'<ting of rcprCS<·nt,,tives of all the working groups held Juring November 1997, On rhc: b,sisof r.hese dclibcr.11ions the St-.:ond N:11ional Env,ronmcat Action Pl.in w;u revised ,u,d presentt:d to the NaLionJ) Commission for the Pro1ec,io11 of Environ11tt'11t (NCPE) which Jpprovcd ,he proposed ~u.1 ivitics to be uaderuke.n dtrough the second N.uion:1J Environment Anion Plan. THE SETTING The Republic of Maldives coosists of a chain of coral atolls, 80-120 km wide and 860 km long, which lie on the L1ccadive-Ch.1gos submarinl' ridgct Ln the lndi.m Ocean. The isbnc:is of the .ltnH ~ystcm stretch from 7 degrees north ,o almost I dcgroc south of the equator. Th<re 1re aliogedier 26 mttur•I nolls .md the total .ue:i of the Exclu- sive Economic Zone is approximately 859,000 kmi, The populJtion of the Maldh•cs. according to the 1995 census i$ 244,SH and currently inhabits 198 of the I 190 islands scarreted through the atoll S)'St"m, At present, 25.S¾ (62,519) ohhc popul•tioo live in MalG, the c-,pi,al of the M.,ldives. Of the other inlubired ishnds, 75 h.wefowcr dwt 5CO people, 75 hav<> between SCO and 1,000 inhabiunts, 47 lmia be1wa-n 1,()()() and 5,()()() inh,bitan<.<, and only 4 havt.' more th.m 5.r:fX; inhabit.tots. Over 80"/4, of ,he land ,rea of these islanru is le.<s th•n I meter ,bove mean sca level. The mainsray of the Maldi~es economy is presently derived from tourism and fisheries and their ussociated industries. Wnile the tnditiooal lifestyle of the Maldivians had very liule adverse imp;ict on ,he environment, popul.uion growth, the a'Pansion 0£ the fisheries wd tourism seaors, and the L'OOl'Omit.tnl (b,clopment of the other sectorS u( the L'COnomy-and society have po<e<I thrc-J.rs ,o ,he qu.1lity of the environment ind the ,mural rewul'<'C s10<:k of the ooum ry. This ,1rwiion has presented serious ch,,llenges to the Government in ensuri11g uliJunc,I d:unoge to the ,...-ry rnvirunmcm on which the sust,tirutble de,.dopmem of cht Maldives depenJ,. , . StcOttd N1t10D..)l Envt.ronmc1n A<:hOn l'l:in Achievements of the First NEAP 0 I Simccdw tirst N,ui<>n,1) E1l\·iro nmem Action Pb n, the tvb ldivc:s The. first Nation:t.l Ei1vironment Ac• has achieved cons 1dcrnble p roj!;rt::ss in co v-itot11-r1cJ11:-tl prou-c.·tion .md rion Pl,n (NEAP) fo rmulowdin 1990 to 11d- m,,rngemen l. T he Go vernlll<nt .muth< public have made great effom dress Lhe cnvi ro a me.ntal pb nn ing ant.I nu n• ;1nd Lhl':W d foru ha\·e brougbtm:10y of tbeobjectives i 11 thi; first N.i1io11~1I agemenc needs of rhe coumry w:,s followed Envimnmc:m Ac1io1\ Pl:w within rt.•.,ch. llS the over.ll I e nvironmental management strategy of t he Government. It rc pre-.semed Tbe gre,nest p ro!?,ress h.1s bee11 m:1de in establishing t he: J combinedj.pf>roach 10 n'llrl:1ging -:md sot..,. regul.no,·y ~tnd insritution.11 ir.uuc.•work for('o\'iso n mem.11protection. ing environml.!nt:al probl(!JUSand est.ablish,. The En ,·ironmc:m.,l Prot('crion ,md Pres.er"\ :uion ACl o f l hc M.lldi \1e11 ing the mech~mism.s for futu re sound mlln• w .iscn.icLCd in :\pril 1993. The Acr com.tin<; provi,;ion<; on constrv,trion

agement of t he environn1c:m. The princ:ip:U nibiologi.:.ll di\·crsity. prol1.,;.1<..J ,1TL":.1.S management, environmemal impac.1,. :tim of ,he NEAP w:.:a.s to help the Govern• .1.ssc-;•;1nc:nt., w,\sle management, :ind lr:rnshoundaf)r flll)\'c.~rneot of ment of Maldives ro m.1.imain .md improve hu.,1 rdous substa nces. Unde r ,\ progr.unme for thc· Strengthening o( thee.nvit<1ntttcnt of tbecounLry, induding the natioiu l c•u\'1ronmentJI l1.·p,isbt1on. ;, task for,'-' \vas estt,blished in 1996, marine .md OCl!a:O are.i conpineJ "-'ithin the to re \·ic w existing na tional lcg1sh11ion J eJl iug 'Ni th cnvironmtrii al E.~dUJiw Economit70H<',.\Jld tofil,\!Ugcthc m.magemcnt and ,o ex.1mine rhe Jdoquacy ()( tho lcgisbtive and resources cont.1incd Lhcrcin for the coUe<.,-ivc innitutio1t,I (r.1mcwork.. benefit ond enjoyment of p resenr.nd fut ure g-ener.11 ions. Env1ronment:1l 11npact .lSsessmc!JH (Ell\) h.,s been made 1n,md.·u o1v for .1II new proj<.·.cts in the Maldives by Section 5 of t he Envi• ronml'nt.11 Protection anJ PreSt.•J'\'ation Aa of tht MalJivc.•.s (uw No: ➔/ 93). Accord ing to the Act,.m irnp,1<1 ,t<SC.<smantstudy shall bt- submi,- t<d to t he Ministry ofH01ne i\(foi.rs, Housingand.Envu;onment befol'C implc:mcnting .my acti\·ity rh,u may ba\'e an impact on the environment. To streaml ine a,1d facili1.11c t he EIA process in tl,ccountry, the C.1biner ' ,pproved .a set of guidelines outlining the p rocedures or EIA in De, cembcr 1994. T h e N.i iona l Comm ission fot the P1o tec1io11 of the I Environme nt .(NC PE), appoim~d by t he re.ild~~· iu 1989, WO.$ restru ctu red ,n 1993, broadeu1t1g Lhe COJ1~uh,1t1vo process. on enviroorncot•I protection. T he m,nd.ic.of the C PE is tb advise-the Gov~rmncnt ou environmental assessment, Pl ilflIDni~nd fll'J.n3gtment; and in ensuring tbitt environmeorn pr&tttdon iu vital component qf ,II development projects.1',lte I PE-is com1>2.ed,efsS11iorofflci.1h Two Ml/llcx, Trees Progmmmo ri::presen.Li ng relevant Govern inenL [n a-ddition1 the M.inistry of Fi.shcric~, Agricuh.un:--and M.1rine- Re. departments :and rwn members of -source.s h~tS formul~l<tl .1r1 intcgr;i.tcd red rl'soun:es ma 1ugem.:11t prn- parli:;unem. gr.unme co .1s:sis1 in the sustainable cxploiution of reef 1·esourcc~. The jgctnd.t for 'il•~'tilin~blc reef reso,m.:edevelop11\e11t W,l}<lr.twn up in }.•l.J.rch An Euvironmem Rese-.1.n:h Unil w.-s 1996 in coruult.1tion with various r~(H1rt~ ~Her~. community group\. esrnblisl1e<lin 1990 to strengthen the sciemillc and Government dep.runeuts. base forenvirononenrnl ck-cision-making and 10 a$semble the necessary cnvlron.rnenr.,l A three-yc-ar 11::uion-wide prugr:urum.• to plant lwo million trees inform,uion ior pl.mning ;\Ild management. began in Jaoual')' 1996. UnJcr lhis progr-.imme .. spccial emph~tS~ 1s given to testor.11 ion o( thrc.-.Hcned h.1bitacs and re-11uroducoou of n·rtam )1.r The Governmem. rt.'C"Qgnising the c-.\Uy thrc-.ateotdspc-cies. impon,ncc of conserving biologic.ii diversity in 1he M.,ldives, WJ.~ among the firsr 10 ratify t\ c~n,pjign to promote .sust,lin,tb1e C(10Sumption p.1t 1ern~ in t he.: tl1c Convemion on Biologic-.tl Diversity. The M;1klivcs and ro ,1ddress rh~esc.11.uiog prnhlcm~ o( \VilSll' ~encrnrion .1nd M.aldh"l'Ssigncd the Convention on Biologic-.tl dispos:11w.t~ l.1u11tht-·d ~•ndt•r tbt' slogan "Independent M:tldivt•~. Cl4.',tll Diversity on 12June 1992 and nni/ied the M.,ldiv«" on 26July 1996. Umlerth i<cs111paign. the necessary p,,li<; Convention oo :?8 Ocwber 1992. With as- fr.1me,.,~ork, managt•mem sy~t<nt~ .md .1,ctiou progr.munl's 10 pront1.>1t: sisunce from 1he Global Environmcnr su.min.1hle Iifos,yles will be tlevdoped. F.cili1y, the Maldivesst:med formulsringns National Biologkal Diversity Cons.:rvation Stmcgy in 1998.

To d,re, 15 sires have hecn dcsigaJtcd by the GoYemment as pror.-cred areas. Two islands, H i,haadhoo (North 1-lm•,du Aioll) .wd Hur,sdboo (South Ari Atoll), have been declared as protected islands because o r t.hcir unique avian pop,Jn1ion ond geological formation, respe<> tively. A number o!'l't<:ies including runles, whales and whll le sharks, black cornl, dolphitts, pe,rl oysters, Stony cor.Js, eels, p,rrot fish, bai, lish,sk.ues and r:iys, trochus Independent Maldives: Ctoan Msldtves Cnmpa;gn $.hells, tl"itOn ~hclls,,U1d pufftc fishh,l\~e been A l'tu111be1 o f 1f1t~ :1SS<.SSmcnt ;-icti vi1ies and awarc,ness bt1ild- dccl.1rc.-d as protl'ci.~dspecies in tlw.MalJ.ives. 1ng .,cc ivit.its idi-:mificd in the first Nation.i i £ovlronmc11t t\ cl1on V)g)'lf<1lba monre,.irarebird in1hdvfaldives. Plan bav,· been completed. 1'he Maldi\'cS l»s >1aried (ield-test in1; the but common ly found in A<,idu Atoll only, set of susrain,ble ,levelopmem indic.nors developed by the Depart• also has be-en ded:ttcd 1s:a protectedsptcies. me.m .-,f Policy C:o-orclinat ion ,tnd SuMainabic Development of the A project meub>.ncethe nn,ional capacity 10 United N,uions. Th\'Sclcctcd ind icators wi ll be used in the future .1.1 ident ify and manage prort!cted :ire~s is J yJr<lstid~ in mt·.1suring progress cowards Stt.st~,in.1blc dtvdopmen l, underway. Human r<."source deve1opmem :ind environmcnLJ I ~•i luconion were" given high pl'iority in lhe pLrn pcrlo<l ,rnt.l significant progress has been .1ch i<:v~d in th est' ~treas as -w·ell. A pm lro,n the policies and m,,.sur,es outlined in the first N.nion•I Environmtnt Action.Plan, the imponance of sou11d prJcuccs forcnvironmem,I and nmtral resources 11w1:igemen1 ii stres,ecl in v.uious p:uuofthe fifth Norio11.;1I Development Plan. In the fifth N.uional.Development Plan, rhcsurcd objectives are to ensure: • that fmure plimning is for sus1,inoble dc,•elopmeJ1t und thatwunclenvironmemal :tSSeSSmeat is an inregn,Ipan o( notional. regional. and secmral tmsu't pl.in (ormubtioo exercises; • ch:lt 3.JI ('Xis.ting illld fururedevelopme.nl ~1crivities al'¢ S\1bjcC1. tosowid environmental man.igement rcgimts Jncl p.r.ict.ictS; • thlt •JI new 11lllJOr projects. including major public infr.LmuclUre ancl privatedcvclopmenrprojects, aresu~jcct to effect ivc cnvironmcm~d impAcr .lS'5eSSmem procedures pl'iorto :.'lpprov-.il; • th>t there .,re institutional arnngcmmts to ensure tlutSUSt~in.,hle development can beol(;]irevoo; • that all existing,nd future development activitiesaredesiincd and managed 10111in.unised.w nc'tl.itivc impact of environment on hum.in he.Ith. Spt.-cificobjcnivcs rdou,d 10 the provnioo of infr.,srructure to man,ge the imp.,cts of hmrun sculcmcnis Qnthe reef and h1goo1l environments and groundwater t'L.'<OUroes arc also ,ruucd in d,c r,/,1, N.u ion•l Dcwlopment Phm along with policic:s~ncemiog the sustainable nunagemem of lishel'ies .rnd I ouris-rn. In .1d<lirion 10 the objectives outlined, tl1e iifrh NMion:J 0el'dopmcm Plan foresc..>sa number of elemems tbot will be in«>rpo- r:ueJ into the NaLional Visiou 1020SLatemern. Wilh rcspt'Cl to erivironmcnt Lhe elememsin this vision :ire: • C:Xlensivc iofrJStrut"tU.re to a1.ma~ the impact of hum.in aetivi1y on the m.irinc and ccrrl'Slrial environments; • ,\ comprehensive strmcgy for environmental m.m1gemc11L including cffcC'I ivc environment.ti in1~ assessment procedures; • urban de,·elopmen, wbich proceeds ,n a manner that ukcs inroaccounr n,m,r.il ha2-1rd risks. and will minimise risk to life and prop<.'rt)" frotnnatural disasrcrs; • sus-tainable-tourisrn devdopmem; • public aw:ireoess r.USing and e<lucarion.. \V.th teSpl'<.1 to S()Ci.J, humm and infr:JStrucmre development, the clc'lllems arc, 1mer.,lia;

• .tppropriatc sanitation .tnd efflue:m dl.'ipos.alsy~rems: • eliinin:uion 1..1f wctor borne disc.·ases: • reduction of neg,tive impact of Ji rand noise poll1,11ion JJld tbat of url~ationon human liealth; anti • prorection of human he.Jth from oceupa1ion related disease conditions. G u In ternI a tiona l Con text ' ~ I n odl.li1ion 10 its loc.l ,nvironmemal conc:cros, the Government ha.i to work ln lhe SMf\LL Siti.i wider inten1.11iorul coo1ei.L bc!co.use of the po- COttFERE~CE remi,l chrcais posed byexrern.1llygcneratcd SEf\ LEVEL R MALE. ~-\8 t(N9,'ll! problcmswd thecollecrive respoMbiliiy ror sustainable devdopment ,c the glqbal level. Perhaps. rhe n1<~orenvironmental issue for the M.ildivc,is that q(dimate ch,ag, and JSSOci. aral sea level rise. The Maldives ls a small, low l)'IO~ islao,1 nalion and will be seciouslyaffe..,ed by the po$Sible imp:l,CtS of global warming, cli- m.1te change -and sea lc\lcl ris(:. A.c, a result, d11: Maldiv~pld)'5 a prominenrrolein internJ• tlonal.fora calling to a1ten1ion rhe.fr.gile mllirc and sp(-cial v~lnerabifay of srn.ill islaod tlevel- oping smos. /_ To discuss the mues of sea levi,L dse among thesmall smesof rhe world which nrc The Maldives ,s.1JXtny 10 the Unirt.>d Nations 1:rnmework Convemion the most vulnerable to climate d1:u1ge, tlieSm:ill un Clilll•I< Clungc, :1dop1ed .i the Emh Summit in 1992. -i'he Maldives also SmesConfurence on S..-• 1.evd&ise wolS hdd in playl.xl. JJ1 ,1ctivl' pan Lll the imemation.t.l negotiations to <>bl.tin cornmitmcms Male. in November 1989, Theou1come ofthe beyond 1he ye,ar 2000 for eff«:1iw reductions of gro,nhousc gas emissions 1hai CQnferencew(lS the M.ue Oeclurauon on GIQbol l.·chothe Kyoto Proto,:ol,and was,he 6mcountry1osign the Protocol. W:umingruidSeawtlRise. 'l'hcMall\ D;cJ.iro. tion paved d1ew,1y for ,he esrnblishroeo, of Since rite :adop\ion of 1ht lust Naiion:iJ EnvironmcntaJAction PLtn, rhe die SmalJJslmd Accion Group; th•t ewmu:J.ly lmenurior1al c.omc:xt of environmcmal m,magernem ha~cbangedconsider.1.bly. became the Alli:1nce of Stllall lf"1nd Stotl:$ A oumberoi w1cmatioOJ! conferrncesh,ve been held and a number of imcr- {AOSIS) u rhe Se~ond World Cli mate n:u.ional conventions .ind :1gree111erttS Juve bt.."'Cn ncgolintcd am.I enforced. The Conference ln<kaev,, in 1990. Agentb 21 and the Rio Dedar.nion on Environment and Dt:velopntcnt ha\'(:

St("onJ N~llonill £nvironmcqt Acll()O Pl11n ~com, tlte new symbol, ofcommon respon• sihili,y$hAr<d by .illSut,s, to protrotthe one W'Qlid WC .u i,tlwbh. ·11.,. Global Co1tfereotc on the Sustain- ,ble Development of Small lsl•nd Ocvtlop- ingSutes(SU)SConforcoc.} held in B..-IMdos in L9'H, ir.msloio.1 Ag,mb 21into,Sp<ti.fkpoli- cies. ~tc.tions and m~.uores to bt t...tken o1t the n-ation.il, regiorul .i.nd in\~n\.iiion.al lc:~l.s to en,bte snull i.sl:md c:b"ek>pingst,tc:s to ,,hi;vc 13th Session ol the Intergovernmental P(l.(Jel on CJrmBts Chlmgo • Male' • 1997 s-ustainoble cjevelopment. 11,cMAldivc. pl~yed At ,he rei;ion,l lcvd, the South Asian Association for Regional Co- ,vel') :irth" pan in ,hefonnulotion or dt~.Bar- oper.uion (SAARC) and the Soutb Asia Co-oper:itis·c En\'ironmenr Pr<>- b.tdos l\cti<>n Progr,nu,1eand isronunittcd to ~r,imme (SACF.P) h:t,·e fonnuhtcd important plans and programmes on impleinenting t hi~ prograrltm<, environment. The SAARC Environmem Actio:1 Pbn adopted in 1997 in Ma.le· provide-s the blucpri:nt for regional acuon co prott.'Cl the c11vironrncm The C-,>n\'entioo on Bi<llogic-,1 Oi\'er- in the SA ARC n,g,on, and ,u u,e rc,gional le\'el thus prim.try focus will be 011 ~it}'; lhe United 'N~tions Convau.ion on Lhe the effeclive :md ~rly implcmcmt.ition 0£ the SA.ARC Eiwironr:nent A<..i.ion Law ofrhc Se,; ,,,J the \VI"'hing1011Dedam- P!Jn. The M;tldi\·ts is .i1so commiued to the ea.rly imple1nem:ttioa of th(' tion on Pro«<:tion of thcM.u:i'nc Environment recommend,-,ons of ,be SAARC Rq;ion.il Sn,dy on the Greenhouse Effect from Lmd-B..sed Attivitieurcotherimpor- and ,is fmp,ct on the R,-gion and tbe SA.Al\CR,gional Srudy on the C1u;os Lan1 i1uer"lulfon.al cn,•ironmcnt.1-I agreements .md Consequences ofNatur.il Disastc~und tbe Protection and Prese.rv:.nion tlut urge {or cottullon ,~ion ro prot«i thcen- of the Environment. Tbc Govemmcnt ofM,ldives will also panicipJcc in virooroem .md th~ ruitunu r=un.-es contained the work ofSACEP Jnd give special empbas,s to implemcming ,he South ther,,in. Asi:s.n Sc;1$Progr,unme de,·eloped by the- United N.nions Environment Pro- g,r:unme. I,is 1.herefc;,re~insl 1hisgeotT.J sc.·'ttfo.g th;lt the second NaUon.1lEnvi.ronmem Ae1io11 PIJ11 is dnwn up. Tbc re$uhs of the first National Enyi:n;,nmem Acrion Pl.m IMvcd1.1cid.tted the main ingredients forsucct"$fu.l iinplemem.:.uion of e.nvironmcm.al policy3lld pn,gmmn"(eS<>t the rution.J le,,el, ·n,us 1hc.11.-cond National En,ironment Action Phn is based on the need to tal<e ,m integrated approaob to die man~emezn of the environment :md to work tow ml, ,he go,1] of susrai,uble develop,,ient. The appro..:h taken inthefom1,tlationof\:11esecond Na, ional En,;ro,uncnt Action Pim r<.':>uhs in drnwingou, a number oikey issues which ne<dtobc:;i<ld....«l,nd then ldenufyiugapprop,-i.ne responses totlmn. FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION Aim and Strat egies lhe,iim o{ tl1c,s,cond Narion.,1 Environment A<1ion Pbn is to: protectandpresen:e theenviromnent oftbe Maldives, and tosustainably manage its resourr:esforthecollectivebenefztandenjcymentofpresentarul/utttregeneratifms. ~rhe rruain Str.ttegie:$ forming the fr.&mework of the second i\\uic>nal Em·iroom<-nt Action Pbn :ire: conunuuus ~ssmem o( rhestatc of th.ee¾lviror,mem 1n t11e .Maldives. jucluding Lhe imp..1cts of human Jctivities on l,md\ ,tn,o;phcre, frcsliw.uer, l,goQns, reefs ,nd rheoce,n,and rhe effoasof chest activities on hwnan wdl being;

<lr:velopmenL.1.ndimplemem,ulon of m:111:igen,eat rn¢thodssuit«l co the na\ural J11d social cnvironmenLof the M~PiYes, omd m.1int.ainorenh;mce cnvironmet114J qtr:ility,and prot(uhwn1n health, while Jt1,hc-srune-time utllising-r~urces-·(m .1 su.,t,iMble l;,;,sis; ,omultdlion a11dwork111g with all relev-,m :.e<,-cors ofsociecy 10 ensurest.ikeholderp.miciplLion in dec-'tsion moking: prcparauon:ltld lmpli:mcm.ation o( comprehensive. national c-ovi.ren.tnental lt-gL~hu i~n in order to provide for respon....,iblcl .ind cff~v~ nu.n:\gen.1cntof the environment: • )tdhcring 10.jn~motiooJi:and regional euv1roamcmai conventions and agree menu; .1odimplemt-nmtic'>n ofcamruitmcm~ embodied i.n such CQ11vtn1ions; • .strengthening of 1utl0nal l.ipabilitie:s--. ir1duding_insti1utio11aJ 1mngcrucots and hum.m l"r."SOurtc dc,·elopmem for '"1£ft.it.1iw publk P'lrticipaiion. marµgemenc .ind:tdini11i$twion: • Jinancul suppo11, co-operotion ,tnd co~mtiLmcat to enable the •c:tion plan robe impbilllllted inm efficient •ndoo.1 dfoctinl rn:mnc:r. K~y Issues .. T a:ichievecuviroruncru,lpro<ection•ndsu,tainablcdt.w:lop1rent,numbcrofissi•'<h.1'"tobcl1Mres,ai l 'hcfollowiogarethe principal and iom,edi.ue ,ssucsid.."11tifiedasprest,'l\t ptiori1y issues in thecons.Jtotions f(}t' the second N,><iooal Environm<'u A<-tion Pl.\11, Cllimn'ch:u1ge :uid ..,,tlevel rise Coastal zone m-.u1agcrucnt Biologjctl divers, cy con.<crvatiou lntegratt."<1 (et! resourcl"S m~m:ige.incnt Integrated wntcr resources man:lgt'JlK'nt Miln,1gcmcot of solid w,c11es,mdsewage Pollution control •nd managing ha1.1rdou., w'.i.sto:s S11sl':lin.1blc tourism devclopm•ni Land resources man.agcmerlt :md S\tstajnable agricltllun: 1-furmn Sl'ttlemems anJ urb;misat ion lli>sr c:ond Ntalfon:il l;n'Ylroa.mctH Actlott PlH ·rhe specific :«.'lio.os th:n ;ire nt,,-c~-s2ry to .lddress the specfa.l environmental ch.111.enges-f.icc...J bythe.MJ.ldivl'S'at pres(lnt are. ilk-mifi<'(i in the next section. In ordel'tO ensute the effective implerncmation o( the second N:u..ionalEnvironment Aetlon Pl:tn. it is es.Y:1ui:1l ,o luv..: t-he oocwary k·g:.1.l) institutional ~ind adm.injst..f:uivt.' :1.tr'~1ngements. Hcru..o.e, :.1.rcngt:hening of the following mc,uuof implcmema1loa will be giveH high priority. Environ u.lCot.tl l:rn1 Enviro1unenrn.J aJ.mini.st.r:nion Public ,nv-.ireness and educ-Jtion Scieuc.: aml rcscarrh Hum.tn resourcedevelop1nent AU componems of th.is plan .tre. ime«kpcndent and provide :, framework for comprehensive action th-:lt shn1.1ld eornributc H) the protcc1ion of thcenvironmcm and sUSl,tin:lblc dc\'elopment Q{ the country. Nocompooentshou!d be seen as.mend, io aod of i,self. Building Partnerships I T he :lim of th\.! ~"Cond National E.ovi.ronmenl Acrion Pbn cio oni}' be :acblevcd·by working withi.n the Government's nv.,r.,11 cnvirnnmem:>J polici,·s and agm-d oction plans..rnd ihrotogh colbbor:u ion, thus buildiogp.1rtncr.1hips with all tbos, who ~h~tre i:omm<in objccti,·<.-s. \X1c will m.i.imain existing p.1.11.nerships and <kvelop r1~w ones wirh key ~kcholdc~.

The I [ealtb and Environmem Aetion Pl,n (10 h..,,b•clop,.J in coll.,bor.nion wirh the Ministry ofHealtb) and the Agenda for lntcgc.itccl R,"f Resource Use (d,velop,."1 hy ,he Mini<i ry oi Fi,hcri..,,,, Agri(:ulturc,nd M,trinc Resources) complement the ~'C."1mJ Nation~ Envin.,nment Anion Plan ~nd lhe pro"isions ..:()m:aincd tht"rcin :tre in ~ l < !f'l with the aims andobjectives of thr; Sc;.,:011d N at ionAI En-,,irommmL Anion Plan. Programme!U:,ycle I Tbesecond NatioruJ Envirnnmcm Action Plan identifies ,heenvironmenutl priori,icsand pq)icy directions for 1lien~xt 6 years. In ortleno .,cb.icve the :um of1be Ac1fon Plan :md in accord.u,ce with ,he ,hemes,• ~if,e work progr:\Jllm~ will be developed for each biennium. The programme will describe the project activities to be undmaken during etch biennium •od would also F.u:ilit.uerimely review lllld. bo.lCd on "'~rienc:cduringimplemenmion, will allow for periodic changes in the fo=1 actions. ADDRESSING KEY ISSUES Issue: Climate clunge is .n JWm signal for the whole of hunl3J1it:y, Accon:liug LO lhe lntergov- cmmenr.t! Pwel on Chm.ne Clungc. the"''""'~ g(oo,~ tempemwreswill ri<e bylx.~--~'ell1 to3.5° C by the year 2 LOO and. on tbc same time scale, ,b.e se-.t Jevel will rise by b.!1 ween 15 and 95 cm. The Maldives is particularly vulnerable u;>1he prcdicred ieo level rise. lo11 worsr c,se ,cen.itio, the very exis1eoce of the Maldive, is tb.r<•tened, as over 80% of ,he bnd • •·•• of our ishmds is Jess 1b,m I metre ,bove mean seaJe.vel. The Government is committed ro /nddeoce ol h/gl> waves • Male' - 1987 finding solutions 10 1he problems of climo1e change and ~.i level rise. The Maldives is a pany to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Ch,nge, and is the first country to sign the Kyo10 Protocol. Actions, polici.esand measures: Continue 10 pl•y • kq role in highlighting th especial vulncr,bilityof small lo,-•-lying islaoddcvelopingstatcsand in gccring du-, ;tttemioo to rhi!> l$$p~ in iot.emi.11iooal forua1s. Contim1t•ropbyon<1Ctn-erol.lin1hcwork oftl1eU11i,edN:uionsFnuncworkCom·emiononClin121eChange, lheKyotoProtocol md any(){ her i.nnn1mcnts lO the Coovemion. Pn-pore•n.1tion:t.lin,'ell10ryofj;Temh~g.isei, their.>outces and sinks ii, :u;.:on:l,nce with 1ho lmergovemnienntl Paud 011 ClimoLO Chonge (IPCQ/Orgonis:ui()n for l!conomi~Co-o~r.i- Lio nand Dcvelopmc,m (OECD) Grtenhouse GJ.S lnv•mory G11idcli11C}, •nd ,ssess energy coiuumptlon pauerns andcvn.luOLc nolH'Onwn- lion~l onergy sources .wd their po1cnti~I for utilisoti<>n. Sea delenctJS itl Male' bu/It with .IBf)"nese /Jld St<,>nd NtO<tn~l tntironmtru Accton Pl:i;n fo1·1,,ul,ue mniou~tl options for limjt11tion of greenhouse gJS cOJissions. Assess the vuluerability of the M:ildiv<-s 1odimatedw1ge .ind <ca level rue in the context of integraredco#t,ll '1rea aun,gcmeat; and. on the h.tS'i.s of the :tSsessmcm. <.·St:1bllsh J network of site.~ whcr<: Sc., level rist andcoastlll erosion can be mo1tilorcd over tUile. Map areas vulnerable to sea level rise and dcvdop compuie,· ba<c,1 infurma,ions~i,m.s covedng the rerultsof surveys, ossess- nwnu and obst-1·,~.1tions ~ par.t of the dt.•vdopmem oi at:k.--qwtc n..~ponsc Str.uegies. adapmt..ion policies;tnd mt.~sures lOminimise th1.. i.mpacc of d im.-itech:tnge. clinute v.uiabifoyand se-J !eve) rlsc. J'::ormuhne a set of :Jhcm.itivc options for adapting to dimace .1ndse-.a levd <·hmg(-s th.it are e.valuatcdand rankL"'<I in theconte~a of mtcw,ued 1.-oastal nrea m::\n..,gcmcm.

Prepare .1 nadon~1Hy endor"S(.xl implementation plan on climate ch.mge. Fonuu1:ttc.: Mt.d submit the first natio11al commu11ic:nion of th<.: M.1.l<lives to lhe Conference of the P~rties to the United N.,Uons Fra,nework COU\'tntion on Climate Change.:. lnt.'1't::asc the p:utlcirition in the global rese.'a.rch, a.~~mem, rn<>ui.itoring and mapping ofclimate imp~ indu,ling U1cadoplion of 1nc:"JSUl't>S .mcl policies:, .tnd the d<.•vdopment oi response str.\t cgits, Pi'l)rllOh! mc)rc dfiticru use o! energy. and encour-Jge introduc,1 io-o ofenvironment fritndlyenergysouKes. Implement ,ho Ozone Counti,' J>rogramme of ,he M.tldivcs and fulfil tlw commitmemsof the Maldives undcnhc Mom real Pn.nocol on Substmces diat Deplete the Ozone L.1yer, .wd the rcbant .unendments to rhe Prmocol. GI I Coastal Zone Management Issue: As ,lie isl,nd$ of the Maldivt-. are small and low-lyiug, the entire n,cion c:ut bc,:011.sidcrcd as ., cO"-"al entity. Moreover, the populn,ion and ;iii «ono1nicde'o't'lopmcnt acti,•ities are concemr.ated emirely in 1Jlecoasul zont:. Be.tch erosion is at present on,: of the most pressing enviro11me.m:1J i.<Sues in ,he ~bldives. This problem mainly n'Sults from human imervon• 1ion U1 the co:isul cnvironuknt 1U1d i'-' continuingdfon .is needed.to ensure that im,ogr.ncd ., ppro.,ch,-,, "' m.uaging coastal an?'J.S ore t..!wi, Actions,Policies and Measures: Initiate u progr,m of sr,;,emalicsurveys, moniLO,ing-, d.lt2 onalyseo'llitd tlocwnc.matlon orbelch e-rosl()n. C'..ominue,1ccumul:uioo ofclat:1Md prcplre1111 Ati:JS including infonnation on winJ, ocean cutrton~, \V:i.vc .md d im,1t~. Conrinue rhe pnigrnm ofconnv lled v.,n ie.,I :1t•rial photogmphy tb rovc'f'all the islands of M.Jdi,·es. Establish ond i,'11han~1heCllp,,bpfty for un&n.ikulg b.uhym"',~j<wd 6-h su,tf)';s. Esi•bmh • '.f <:el;tnic;µ Commi1teoon Co>.llnl Zonel-.~cmennlnder ,heo~ifpf rhil N•~n.tl Commi~i.9•l for the P\'O\artiUn <>flhe En,•1room~nt 10 prov,deknowledge.uid~ic;pert1,e on cOJ.tbl zone ,;s~cs. and to t nl orc dta~S,r~ ~oral m~r•teu ,pproadt<$an: used lo '1(1.)=ingcOJSt:al probl;ms. ,. Eslablish" Co;1.11al En~'l'iqgSuppon Uni\ for the purpose o( pn:,,iding guidelines, C091\'linadbn, n,sc~,.), ;ri"d,8'-~op=nt, and,>S p<:>im of coni.tn fo~input~to co,sul planning. Thi> Unit should prepare'and encourage th~~<lo~ ion of guideline;; for inregrated =•hrc,a m.itt,'j\Clt1'1nt wl shQldd workdO!<!ly-wit,b tlue 'fcthnic.tl <;',cunmitl'(C on Coast.11 28'n .-Man.tpdtt. O,,v,lop ~nd iin_plem,111 inu:gr.tt<dc:~ahonc 1tr.11ia~cmcnt plans, intcg1111c them wi1hln notional Jcvclopment plan.< and enoour:tgc ,ioll C(>!Slru Jl\'1 m.111\lgcl)ll.'nt tlu'Ot,th community ponicipation. FotmulJrt crit<l'iund odopt guidt:lineslllld codes g_f pr,1<:ticc for the'copstruc1ion and l1J<.'lll(on of co,i;tal st.n,c~=sucb ai: sc.iw.ills, g,pynes, h.lrb\>tJrt. jct~ pie~ md C>U$eW,l~. Str,ngt.nau,,1g:inJc11ftlttu)gn,e-.astu:e$that will oticOlmgl-w ""'of imported construction m.11<:ruls tlue~ helping to minimise the= of IQcillly mined coral 2nd soml. Ot>vefopond implement • progrummc to monitor-theamount of coral and snnll mined. Adhere strictly to em;rQnmental impaci lS$t:<iment procednres in rbe planning of devclopmt nt proj<'<."IS ~nu in 1fiving opemting Licenses 10 intlustriitl activities. llir.blish J program for training ~.tffin =nl engi.neering,md im~ r,tcd coastal area managcmem. Conservation of Biological Diversit~1 I Issue: Thecor.il reefs of the Maldh·csJr,, renowne,Ifor tbcir ,esrhetic !x>Juty and species divcrsity .md the reefs suppon stocks o[ cnd.mgenod species. The physic,! fom,:u ion of the small csland., of, he M.,.ldivcs icidfis very unique 111d tberem,s,ri.,Iccosys,em.s arc biologically rich ,nd dive~. However, Jue to the small size. isobtion ru,d (r.,gilityofisland ecosystems, the biologiml diversity of the Maldives is th~tenccl. Coral reefdeteriornrion :ind b.,bim Jt-gmdition renuin the ,min causes of the loss of biologicru diversity in tit< Maldi,es. Ra·ogni;ing rhc importance ofconsening biological diversity, the Maldives has s~ned1nd mi6eJ the Conwntio□ on Biologic:il Diversity.

Actions, Policies and Measures: Underuke J dctaikd ilSS<SSruent of biologic,I diversi, y including Jctailed invenrorics of <XiSting nom, fauna and e.:osys• cenis. in onil:r 10 provide the basic d.tt, ru.-edccl for the conservation of biologic:tl diversity. Identify .md analyse options to roe-et the objectives of the Convcmion on Biological Diversity, iududing Str\\tt.ogies for coru:cn. .,u.iont :,usrninable use and benefit sharlng. Prepare and implement • Ndtional Biolo~ic,l Diversity Str:itegy md Action Plan. Pr,•p,r,, the firs, n:uian,l r.,pcm to the Confrr<nce of the Parries of ,he Cc,nvemion on 6iologicaLDiversity. Identify sites a( high biologicol..sign,fi,-ancc for 1hc conservation 9 ( hiologi""1 diwrsisy, tour~m, .tnd othtr sustainable development <)ppo1·1uni1ies and designate them JS pn;,- lc,lcd are-JS. Accetlc to and implemem the Convention on lntcrnmional l'rade inEnd.mgercd Spt..:ics of \Xlild F,un• and FlorJ •nd orher rdev.,m inccm.1~ion:d and n:.,glanal Com·t!ntion.i;. Protect and rq;entrotc emlang.rcd 1pecies, susuin bir·cl popul• 1iori~ and co~crve the P - Ga)'OOmsigW>g a,,, eo,......,"" 8'l()glcei °""""lY. Rio do Jane/to . t992 JL,bim of 1\ire,r~ncd $pecies. Integrated Reef Resources Management Issue: R=July, Lbeuseof r.eefresoun:esb:I. inc.....i.scd tlrnmacic.illy with the growth of Lht Lourism industryand rh~ O(>\!niogofnew ex- pon 11wke1s for reef Gsltcry p,Q\luct.S. Over- fishing of so,ne reef ttsoul"Cts, inc:ttased reef J..>gi·•d.uion, .mdan increase iu oonfiictS ,u11ong n.-ef n.-sourt-c USl'~arc t-oncern,s th:iLoet.--d: to be .,ddmsed urgently. Recognising dutSU!tilin- ,ble de\'l!lopm<m of tourism and fishel'ies in the M.udives depends largely on reef resow~-... the Goven.imtm isactiwly promoting• policy of imegNttd II!;:/ re!outte$ m,1ru1gen1a11. The Notional Workshop on lmegrated Ree/ lte- sou~Mmigemcm (M,ilt', t996) pr¢pm:dacomprchcnsi,·c sct of recomm<,ndacions on in\egmed ucilir..1tipn c)f reef reso=. Th, CQl!rt[')Orotive Pt.n for lntcgrnied Reef Resoun.-es Muu,gcmcnt fonns an integral part 9£1he j)~,A~o'n1'1;µ,. Actions, Policies and Measures: 1~the heilthof lhe Mtldivt•1<:or.il reefs inclu&igoo.r.al ;u1door.,J rt<'{g,,'Owth,sar,dprodl\'11!~~ bynanwlrqnd ~nt,of imp,asofooralble,d,mg;oomlmirungmxls.u,dextn1Clioo;recl.u,utionanddn,dging.aownofd1ornspm1,cioo;IPUlisn~mdredfi..<l1"11¢1, lniwu.,,coll:,\,Q,-~plrtiop,,mryn':l'f1'°'10'.U'O.'S moniioringand m•n-1gcn,..'Dt pn)gt'Jmmoon·oh111gpoapl'~"1JI.~{Oj(lltr<e ucili,acion(c.g,tisherfolk.thetourisanir.clusay,cor..tn,iiier;},~well~Gcr,-e,'MlCl!l-w,lcits,r&v-.mtNGO:!:MJ<l~st.ikthokl"'l>l' lmroduce pilot.!¢.'l!e lmegr~t.:d Rttf Resources Mwagcrru:m progn\Olll1es 1)1) on "'i by ~tdlJ b;isis, working through existing Atoll Dc-vdopmcar Committ(."CSand 1'-IJnd Development Committees- Increase oworenC,lSo[ the fishing community, in P'tnicular, md ,he publi~io .-,.f; ,i ~l{~~ug to n,ef resources m.1,µge- ment, sutb anhe dangers of ovcr-Gsbing, odv.mtages of5UStain,bleresolllU -• impocts ofcoiul mining und the benelits of using a1tcrruuh es to c-oril t'O(lk forco1\sttucttOn. 1

Develop and implement a pl.in for ph:isingoutcor-..J mining and provide incentives and market mcch;misrns to m.iki:.J!rematives to coral rock accepuble:t and encour.1.gethe use of altemativematc.ri.il in mffltime Strucrutes. Establisha network of marine protc-ctcd .treas, covering approximately 20% of tl1e total atoll area , nd including rcpresenutives:imples ofall major babirats, desii;ned toac, as harvest refu. gi, :ind to prot<>ct breeding stocks and bioloi;i- caldiver.>ity. l.i.kntify potcmi.~ fishery targ;:u, ~ fishery yields, cJ.rry out nurket rese:arch on them. and disscmimnc th~ resuh.iug information to tht public. Enforce existing bw~ and regul~tlonsconcem- ing reef fisheries.and aploition Q( other reef ,resoun2es and strengthen.the n,u ional institutionalcapacity 10 m2nage reef resot1rces. A= •nd cvolUllte thC' n:d"f~hcry >tocks ond rq;uLatccxploitoticn to cnsurcsust:iinobility. Monitoring o[coral rtefsforcor,il ~ - , gmwthof ~ gre,,,, .ugae ,nd cyanob.,crerial m:its. I Sustainable Fisheries Management Issue: The Mitklivi.ingo\'ernmendlOS •hv.,ys .,ccon.l«l high priority losustain.,hly manage the tuna fLshcry of rhe colLntry. The presem fishing methods and the ge.tr employed ,n the tuna fishery ensur< an environmentally s0und .tnd a StLStJioubly rmuiaged fishery. In orda to ma.xi~ mize the: economic and social bcriclit . .krivtd from thcruna fishc-ry, it is impor· um lO ,•xpl"re means of r.uio·n.ll utili2..1tion of these l u1u re~u1'1."t"s in the E.-x- dusi\'e Economic Zone of t-h~ Maldive!~. wli ich at the moment ls unJer-cx· ploi,ed. 11,eMaldives•c- Lively promotes SllStaUlable fisheries m10agement :u the intern.,tiOIL'll level as well. JheMaldives r.11.ilied che UnitedNarions Agreemenr rebring 10 die Conserv:uion :md M.,oagcmcnt of Straddling l'ish Stocks and Highly Migmrory h<h Stocks in December 1998. R.,·ccm ye.us bovc wiincsscd a drnmatk e.ponsion ofthe t\Ulll. iishery in thclndi:m Ocean .md since this might b,ivc a n,w,tivecffcct on the local rw,a fishery, it is important to monitortht• Gslrery and promor.e .sustain.1blcnu.nagememt Jt the rtgionaland imern.1cional Jevel Actions, Policies and Measures: Formt1L1teruid impl=ent a ten-year fuheri<'l< devdopmcm mJSter pl.to. Rc\·iew ch~presem Fisheries L.1wof rhe M.,ldives {l.tw no: 5/87) in o r,lcrto improve th,•1,•gol .wd ins1i11uional framework required for susain,blc fisheries mo.oogcmcm. SrrengtJ1cn the insiitucion:tl cop.ciry for the monito ring ond cnfon:cmcnt of n.>gt1lotions relating to sust:iiaable fisheries man.,g.... mcru. Strengthen the ruLipn:tl capaci1y co monicortmd -assess the st,ne of the coumry•s pel.lgic fish stcx:ks. incl\1di,1g .Jeve1\')J)tnCn1 of rcse-.1.rch cap~\city necE.'SS:l.l')" to a.~ rhe effecr of cljm.:11e or e11vironn-1t!:0t:i,I i:h:mge on pd,1gic fish stc)Cks. Im prow the knowledge regarding ,he s1n1rnire of the marine speciessubjc:cted to exploitation by condueti11g long-rcrm sci(•ntific research. ln<re.lS<) publicaw.u-encss on issues rcladn.g tor.Ilion.ti utilizaLion of pelagic resoum:s. De,·elop and implemem apl•n to increase the miorml exploirntionor pcbgic resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the M.tlldj\1es,. Participate actively in the work of sub-regioooL r,gion:11 Qnd iurcrnalional fisheries m.1n.1gc1nent orgoni:<ations, 10 eru:ure .:ifecdvc oonM:rv:it ion and Sl1Srni.t1:1.blt!' nmmtgt.'m~nt o( pelagic resources, for the btnefiL of small island SC.\teS. Develop and implement H=rd Analysis and Critical ComrolPoints (HACCP) to enhance the qu,JityStmdardsof the M.tl.livinn rlshcry produas.

• Issue: Integrated Water Resources Management The hyd1'0logyof the Maldives iscypi- c,I ofcor,I i$lands, whei·e ,h, w•tcr <>hie is shitllow :utd c-i,nfincd to a lens of thin fresh- wmer fli)ating on rhe d,nser sal1wa«r. This lens of-water lta$ been maintained in good b:thtnce becw,en use and recharge by r.tinfull ru,d the sm•ll population in isbnds. f,o"·cver, thegrowrh in popuh1ion coupled wirh the changing tulmre or water usage h,s led to sc- wrc«>nst:r.ums in 1emisofbod1 the qu.sntity and qU.tlity offreshw,uer in m~ny inhabited islands. Grounclwaicrcontomin,tion due toscw.tge disposalin the constraints of <he isund cnvironmenris .,lso • :scriou.s issue in~ numb<:rof isl.mds. Thus, provision of deon freshw,cer to <he population is one of the momeriousemironmenl"11 chAllcng<'S facing the oount ry. Actions, Policies and Measures: A= the quality :1ud qu.intity of grouadw•tcr in sdect,"1 islands, ";ti, pri- ority given to i<li.'lltilied growth ,vntn,s, major agricultural isfon<ls, and islancls exptril.?ncings.t.lt watcrinLruSion resultingfroa1.e,..'tmctionof grounll water. Develop an imegr.ued n.'ltional w;:ite.r resources m:in.-gem.enr mast.er plan. OpLimisc raimvatcr collection and storage, ,md ""'JUU1? appropriate tl'Chnol- ogy •nd Lrainingforco,t-dfoctived.-s,Jin21ion, i□ordcrto provide sufficiently high qu.tlity pomble frcshw~ter. Develop and strengthen moniloringand ~meru ca,pabilities_, maintain water resource databases~ and utilise relevant decision• m.lkingtools for water m,magemem, pl.aningaod utilisation. Ellhanccpublic~w;renesson w,1terconscrv-,tion, imroducc ,vaicrs.wing devices, and use •ppropriate inoon.ives md regulatory measures tbcontr0I indi.scrimin-:ne puntping of gro,Jnd,vJter. l'rotecr frcshv.-:,1cr resource, including ground warer aquif.,sand iobnd Llt,'00n$. Management of Solid Wastes and Sewage . -rn Issue: Thesm:111 ,i,.c r, j, he isl,,nJs, the rnpid growth in popul.1tion, clung- 111g consump1io11 p:mctns1 im;n:.ise in imporu of chemicals anc.l h:i·u nlou."' subsunccs,rnd I.ck of rcsourc,-. for safe disposal now ni,ke 111;111agemcn1 of w,tstes J.nd pollution prc•vcmlon acritical issue for M.tld.ives. The dispos:i.1of .solid ~·.iste-s preseot.~ a ~riouscorn'tmjm to su~tainablc: dev£•loprne-nr :rnd in densely popul.ued islands has bc<.-omc a csitical problem. Limited l.tnd are:, makes the option ofbndG.ll disposal unsust.unablc in ,he long tc rm. D,unp- ing in these., is 110, acceptable fora<.'Sll1ctic reasons, and as it wouldaff<et murismond fa,licrics, the two main$1l\y,of thetcon,,my. lndner:u.ion, while n.-dut:iug the volume of wastes, is prohibitive in tern" of costs and R'<juircsdisposal ofMh. Disposal ofliquid wastes i.s .ilso J growiug problem in rhe islands and che, grottnd w~ucr in mo~t of the islands is conrn.min:ued due tO improper disposal oi sewage. Actions, Policies and Measures: J\>&--s., th, solid wa,;,e disposal problems in inhabited islands, muns, resorr.s and u1<luSt rial isbmls. Develop and imi>lerucnt .1ppropriatc policy and r,guhtory m.-.isures for ,he re- dtM.."lion of w .~t\ the safe a.nd e[fic.iem ma.nagcmcnL of solid \VasttS. and forthc? proper m:uugemem oi dispo,•Isit,'>. Developfu::tl,mdpt>licymcemives:tndothermc=toencoumgc<Mimport nf environr'Ot!ttt friendly prt>di.1cts wii.h minimal ·w:JSteorwlth deit;1£ilble \\"~C iootmt. Fonnulue ,nd impkmen, puhlicowilrmes:. .md cd,ic,cion cunpaigruclesignoo ,o gain Ioctl m.'O!;l\itionol the value of wam, reduction, '"'''"• recycling, af>propriate poc~gand of the possibilities forcom,'rtiug ~<'StOresources.

Introduce cle.m t<'Chnologies in th,· industrial =or md appl'opri,ue technology forsoli(IW\1Stc treotmcotand di.sposal. Provide imcgr.mxl wo«,rs.ippty, sc"·og,.· wd w,IStcwaterm-.umcm systems for the identified g,-owth ctntreS. D<'vdop .1J1dcnrorcc standards for the discharge or muni,ip.ll ,nd imh,s1ri•I wastewater, including l•ying-of sewer systems, and construnion of sepLic L'Ul.ks.. Strengthen ,he i11<1.i1ui.ion.Jc•P"city fortnfon::ement ofregu111ionsand monitoring, indu,Ling the tr.tining'1ll<I liceu.s-ingof plumber1 to ensure bettti-quality of work. Pollution Control and Managing Hazardous Wastes Issue: Though the marine environment o.f M.tldives is still in :, sufficiendy pristine stall' it i.s,'er'}' suscc.•ptibk to Mrl>sS from pollution~ Thus pr«autiona.ry m~esare nece.'\$.·u-y to p~vcnc Jcgrnd.itionof the nurinL' erivironntcnl ro ,lS to m.1int.tln .md improve its liftsuppon and pr,oductivec,p:u:iti<S. Tbc u.<cofchemicals ison the in<r= JJtd mco.,urt-S IO reduce ,heir b,'alth and environmental imparuare aecess.uyaswell. SpeclJ.1 Pl'otr:unmes ;in: .iJ.so n('t."dccl l o identify toxic .uu.l hx,...u·dous \V~l'S g,cacr;ttf\.1 in the M~ldi\'CS ,nJ to dispose them safely. Actions, Policies andMeasures: Assess the p=nt use of pesticides, evalu•te agncultur.11 pr;,cti«-s in thecontextof inu.>gmed pest c,>mrol, a.ud pR"JMrc guidelines •nd recommend,tions for control of pesticide ,111d herbicide use. J\SSC5Scum,n1 pr,ctin>s for thedisposol of clinical .md toxic WJSL<s wd esr.iblish procedures for dispos.11 of \11th wasie.. Est.ibtish ~ naiioi:ul chcmic:JI.,; cbub.lSI' wcl dev~lop m•nu.11~ . me! g u idel i n e s on ch,• saie use .u1<l tli.s p o s o l of commonly used chemicals. Re.\TJt..-w and revise the exi~ting m::irine pollution contingcm,;' plan with panicu.Ltr focus()n o~ pollL.Jtion prcvr:ntiun .md prep:m.,1~ lles.5. Formulate .tr1d implcmem sirict rtg\Jhltions ro n·duce the risk.~ of accjdem.s :.mJ polluLion froni all ,·CSM.·)$ and cargo ships Establish fac.ilities LOcoll1.-ci wast·coil1t:hcmka.l w.u1~ .md garb~\g,e,u pon:s,11$.hlag hJtbour.; ., nd 1-n;1rirrns. Eslablish .md tnforct"appropri-atc- code$ of pr.icticc for I he h.mdJing, rn.1.ospon:icion .tnd .sco1'!lgf of _I.X'lr'(1k•1.1111 produl."l'). Develop a n.uional srr.u:egy for thccffoctivc implemrntaiion of the Basel Convention on the Control o[Tr.,osbountl•ry Move- ment of H•t:trdous WilStes ond their Dispos.J. luiifyand implemmt re!<v:mtco1ivcorions, including the Prior In formed Consem Convcmi,,n on chemicals, the Convemionon the Prevcmion q f Marine Pollmjoo by Dumping of Wost es and Other Matter ,rnd the Washington Progr,mmc o( Ae1 ion on Prevention of Pollutlon from Lmd B:ised J\~-.ivi,i,.. !\_ _ P' Sc1,:<>nd Na1ion.1I Envlronmcnt Ad.ion Piao Sustainable Tourism Development I Issue: Towi.,n1 in the Maldives primarily depends on the JLltur--.u environ• rising cnvironmem:J sens.itivity, adverseeffeos mcnt: ,he pliysiClll am! geographic foatures of tor.ii islands, the beamy of nuy be reltsoonc.-than later w1less appropi.i1te umlerw,ter world, de.an wu1er in the L,goons, white and pri!i,ine s:tndy b,,.aehes, pbnning and managcmcm =urct•re under· rich island ,-egew,ion , nd the i(leal tropiolclinwe.·n,enaturnlresoum,,s of taken. Theobjeccivesand w gelS rdawd to envi• ,he M, ldives •rcinasufficiently pristinesw e, of''•ti' high al:Slh«licquality ronmenul prot,,aion .wd prt.'Serv-.uion outlined and lhere-., re relan\'e-ly lcw scriQuscn.vironmcnLal concerns in U1e tourism in the Sl.'COOd Tourism Mas,erPbn form an in- sector at pr'eS¢nt. How-cvcr, it is ;also believed thal \\'lth.in~l'.'\'.l..~in.gcnviron• tegral pan of i:his Aetion111.ut. ment;ll pressure! resulting from<'xpansion of tourum dt•velopmem and

Actions, Policies and Measures: Coolin,., the implementation o(jn~ rored planning iu1d poljci,>s 10 ensure sustainable courism 4cvdopcneot;mclucling use o( environmental impAt,., ~ m,•tit.s iru.o\lruw piin1,ingand :UI tourism projects~3lld mo11iroring tourism. impact.son environ- ment, c;uhurc ~ heri,1,ge.~ Ensure effective cnfo=n ont of guitlelines 2nds1.md.u-d; 0111011rist resort desigo and construcrion, energy geaernrion and conserv,n.ion, w\lrerprouucti<ln •nd ~ rv~tion, generation •nddispos.11 of waste, ..,vage and W-J;,tcw.icr clioposal, conserv•• tion ofil0rl , l un.,, bndsc,iping, n~lcirryinga,pacity,iiaoJA.-d5. ' Po;u,r~w•ren(SSof til,'iroom,nutl.cthi~ ~~,qn11;1ourtru, rcson m:uugement, loc,l isl.1nd co~1munitiesood tour operators ,n orller tb cnsun, conserv,t.iQn and s~in.d,,l~~ 0£fflOurcc-.; public guardimibip of tho ""wr, I environment; and reduce cons\unpiion ant.I waste. Safogu:trd n••ural,social and culturnl integrity. Pro,-idt suppon forloc.u economienhrough 10011 con,munity in,·oh·cmcot. Str<ng1hen d1e consuhati"e process wiih sukeholdcrsand the public. Pt0n1otr hmuan rcso1,.rce de,,elopm.enL Promore respollSible tourism marketing. ,nd develop focilit.i<S to mm spe- cific niche markers, parlicul,11-ly in eoo-tourism, n•ture ,U\d r-uh ur,,I tourisoa Assess the environment:aJin1pact.s of lOurism aml $\.IStlinability issuescon- tiuwlly. I Land Resources Management and Sustainable Agriculture Issue: The smillsize of rh, islands, coupled wirhJandt,'lluresy,tems, mcre-.ising popubrion, commcrci.J ...-civities, and the.need «i pl'Qvi(\< ~vial$infr=ucturecrea1coomp111iuonforland .wd lead u,hnd use =gemcnc i.ss11es in the Mnldiv-,s. Thus, mos, aspcmorenvironmen- tal m.uL>gcment~reinlluonred by th• plonning .md u1ilisa1i6n orland n:soun:es ond .rr mti- mntely link«l.to oo.,ml zone mD.Oagemeal, a< th~ islands.in theM.aldivcurc in themselves emirelyc=tal entities. Landshquldbe used in w•ys du~provide the gre11estsustuinilhle benefitsand sped,! emphasis needs to be given 10 prom°"' sustainable agriculture in ,he Mllldives. People.need guidane< o.nd trainmg in the use of technologi~>s and fanning systems to ensure the proper man,gcment of agriculncrol resoun'l'5 mrhcoounrry. Actions, Policies andMeasures: Undernkecomprehensivesurvcying ond mapping to cov<r srk-crcd isl.nds wid, prioritygi,·en tO die idca,ificd growth centres. Enhance ,he national physical pbnning c,1pability, focussing on develop- ment of policy guidelines as well as integr:11ion of physical pl,urning with i:1wiro11mcn1al imp.'ICl ~ment. Pn.,,arc comprehensive lam.I 1.1.Se p1.tns ior~11 i11h:.ibited islands to protecL land reso11rces, ensure susminable and productive bad use Jn<l gu=l ag,1inst e.xc<'<!ding growth limit,,i ions, land degradation, and pollution. Develop ruid iinprove nation.11 lnnd use d•mbascs, including estimares of the cirryi,lg c:ip.11city, economic and environment.ti v~tlue of Lmd resources, and enhance the use of G<0grnphic Information System$. Encounig'C-appropriate forms of land lt!m.1re, and improve lc."g.tll ~nd ~Omin• istrati\1e c;1~dty for l:.\Od use management in order to fadlit;ue susrainablc land we. Encouragecnvironmenutlly $0Ulld farmi,1g pr,1t1ict'> and promote use of appropn.ace 1e,:hnologies.

Conserve the pbm genetic=~ base of theoounuy. Enc'O<IJ"l\e use ofoompooting to replenish and m,tint:un soil feniliry :Ind use integrated pest DUfl"I,'""""' 10 control JX$Saoddiseases on isbnds. M-JDag« forestry -JDd 6m"ood by 0<1hcriog to planned schedules forre-pl:uuing, logging and fu-cwood collL'Ction from des,gn;ited sites C-,0minueex'tcosivc1n-epbruingprograrnnlfS-JDdoonserverrcesofspcci.,lsignific-.moe. Human Settlements & Urbanisation :i] Issue: l'r.,sently, thccapil>ll city of MaJe• is considered the only urban centre alt bough some other islands are rapidly becoming urban centres. The fast pace of llrb1n develop- ment ,n Male bas led to a number of problems. These in• elude land sbonage. over-crowding. deterioming housing conditions► high economic cost of urban infraStruc1,1re.•md (!,.-.;lining fmbw,1crqu.inmy and qualiry. Air polhuion due todust,smokeand fumesfroLn motor-vehidc.s isal.son:-.u:h- ing levds o(coocem in Male'. Special me-.1.ru1·t.~:ire r1oc-cb.t w ensure th,tt urban life is sustainable ,nd :woid the mistakes of the p,1St when new senleiuenL~ -:u-ede,·t~ll)ped. Actions, Policies and Measures: lmprov.-the a.V'Jilabiliry, ,fford:1bility 1ndenvi,1,nrnental qu.tity ofshclt<r, in accord.l.<lcc with Chapter 7 nf Agen,h 21. Develop a national su,11egy for ho,Lsing •nd urb,u1 dcvdopmrnt in the Maldives. Devdop and dissem111•te manu>b and guiddincsou em·ironrnenL friendly housing. Unden:.ikestrategic cn\tironment:l.l QSS("SSmcutS ro ensurer-hat new senlements ar~ built on isbnds ~~~ at<.: environmentally suii,bleand ct-duce Lhe risk of damag<from nmirol phenomena. E.1ublish .i.p;ogramme 10 monitor thtYetivironmental impacts of Hulhunwc' dewlopm<'nt. Pl.an urban ~anagiowtbcmtres t o ~ tbcenviroiunental impoa of transport. Assess tho environmental aud health impom of road tnmsponaLion in Mate• and enforce mCJSurcs roe.nsure tb.,t pollutioa fromexhau,,t go_<;<:Sandcemcm dust do not reach risk lcvds. Oevelop,md implttn<:ntstr:uegii.:s to rcdU<-.: the need form01orvehidcs int he new i;rowthcen- trcs by favouri11gpublic rr,nspon and provid• ing forlOfo.,nd oppe.oliug b;.;ycle J"'ths,u)(l foot• paths. Establish uppropri:itc I.ind use 7.,c:ming in ~tale' and identified y-owth centres m order to nunlmisc noi$e po1lut1011 .llld 01 her n,USut<:es in rcsidenilal arc~. Eucour.~c: du.::dcvdopmenL of parks, gardens .md recreational areas Ln inl1abited i.slancl~ in otder 10 e.nlu.11ce the q1.1ali1y of th~ living environment. STRENGTHENING IMPLEMENTATION I n urtlcr to cn~ure the cffcc1ivc implementation ,)f 1h~ , ccund us rcscurch, infom1n1ion ex.chunge. uw11.rene-,'i'. N:Hiorrnl E11vironmc111 Action Pl:m. il i~ c.~:,;cnLial 10 have thl.'.' nccc~~:1()' nntl tnvimnmcnlal educotion would nlso be l~g:,I. institutional and adminiscr:uive orrttngcmcnts. llu:: suecc,s:ful i n, 4 initiated and continued for the pull)O$t: of ;1s.. pkmenrmio11 or the Action Plan W(lll Id al,c, he ...tt:pcmknl on 1..hc lin,uh.:il,1 sis Lin!) all stakeholders invoh cd in the ,mplc• ancl humn,, rcSt)urcc~ av:1ilahlc, /\ number of supp~ining mea~urc!t sw.:h .nentalion of lhc Action Pl~n. Environmental Law l I The Environmental Prote<tion ,nd Prcserraiion Act of the M,ldiv,·s (act 4/93) w~s eJ1acted by rhe People's Majlis in April 199J. Thi, ,et ~,1.,bli,h«I a fr.1mework upon which regulations ru1d policies.can be developed to protect and preS<.>rH· Lhe JLllur-J.1 ~nviromncnl ,md resources fot the henefil or pn.·.scnt and fumreg.ene:rntions. Act i/93 consists of: d,,u..r.r 2:ct'lll<.'t:mt-'ll i;ovcmmtim :.1uLhoridessh:tll pmvir.k n~1.ry guidelines an<l advice;

clause J: E111·ironmcm Mmistry responsible for forn,ubtmg policies as well :i.s roles ond regufations; r:L:use-1: Environment Ministry shall identify :md <lt~1gmne protec.1ed.are:isand nmure reserves; clause 5: Environmemallmpan Assessment m::1m,biory for :.toy new projecu; claus.! 6: power to tem1in.,,ue developmem.s C;tUSi.ngsignificamly deui.memal enviro1u:neotll i.mpaets; dame l:<li$pvs:.1.l o( waste, oil and polSonou.~sub:i.t:.uu.:csshall be regulau..-d1 cLtmeS: d i~pos.,1and trnnsho undaty movernem o f h .az:ardous wastes banned; cl.wse 9: fi1tes fo r dam,\gt· to the enviro nment; c/md(! JO: compensation for envlro1101entjl d;i,m::ig(' llrnt m.i.y take place. A prograru,uc for strengthening of nat.io,ul eovim111rnmtal lcgislarioo beg;m in 19%. Underthis progr.)nun<,• national taSk force has be,.,,, esublish,<l 10 """"'' and r.tke the neces."'11')' :ic~ion t<> upd:,tc the ru1tion,tllegisl.-nion oce&."11ocnsureth:tt environmem:11 managemem in the M,klivcs has a sou ad legal b:,sis. The t:,sk force will c-ootinue its work OJI die detailed review of the existing n.tt ion,U ,lnd inst i1ution.1J regime throughom the plan ptriod f04.:ussing on idemifying policie~ guideUncs, mode) ),1ws and r<.'gulaLions requited for pr'Olcctiun of the cavjronmem.Under this progr,.1rnme, :.1 rtview will also be undenaktn of the existing :1rrangtmen1s fore.nsu.ri..ngc..'Q1llpli..1ncc to cxhting and proposed legislatinn. 01.1 th~ basi.so£ thisreview. ~tppropri:ue lcgishuion. designation of alllhority ,md rc:sp<msibili,y or other ammgemem$ will he recomo,-,,detl, The Maklive,s is parry to a uuruberofintern;uiontl.l oonve-mions and agreements rcl.ued co rhe e1wironn,cn1. Doc ilttCntion woulc.l be given to meeting rhe 'C01nmiunents·under thcst conventions and agreements. Vienna Omvention for the Protection of the 0wne L,yer (1985): Mont=l Protocol on Substances that Deplete the0~one L.1yer (19g7), Basel Coovent.ion on LheComrol ofTr:msbouu<Lirr Movements of .H:i=-dous Wastes and their Dispos:11 (1989); Agenda 21 and the Rio 0edaration of Unircxl N'1ior,s Conference on Environment ,m<l Dcvclopmcm ( 19?2); United Nations Fr,1mework C',onvcmi-On on Clim.lt< O1.mge (199 Z): Convention on Biological Diversity (1992}; South Asian Region.al Se-as Action Pbn .1f1d R"-solutions conc<'rning us lmpll"mencat:on (199-1): \V/,lshi.ngtoo Dedar:uion on Protecrion of th¢ Marine Environment from Land~Bascd Activities ( 1.995); .rnd Kyoto Protocol to the United Naiion.s Frnniewo,k Convention on Climate Change (1997); lo ,nidkion, the Governm~nt will consider the partiti~Lioo in Olhcr rcft:v;mt intcrnation,11 conventions, including: Convention on lmernationol Tr-,dein End:rngrn·d Spe<ies of Wild Life and Flora: Prior Wonned Consent Convention. I Env ·roµin.ent~l:Administration Natio,.tl Commi:><ion for the Protection ofthe Environment (NCP.E) As environme.mal assessment ~od m-1.n.. will cominuc its advisory role in n~uional envu·onrnent~)I pvlicy fom1ulatiou age.meat activities increase, there will be.icon• .111d co-ordination of environment.ii man~lgt?mem lC'livilies. The NCPE will 1iauingnc<ed to kt"'f'Mr.lllgemems for environ• be further strengthened and restructured. mental administcuion wider review. Jn order to ensure the Limdy in1pl,mentotion of e.nvirol)• Iris io.....,;een that the NCPE will cmblish tccbniC:11 committees that mentol legi_slotaon, environ mem:tl impact would provide lt 1~d1nical ,u.lvit.·c. The responsibilities of such comnUuees assessment proce,.lures, ,nd codes of practict/ would i11dudedcvdop111cm of t'11\'in.lnrnental axk-s of practice for tourism, guidelines.• mong and well co-ordinoted in• solid waste in:u1agerne,u, coosu] .!.1ruL'lurcs, $an<l .m<l coral mining, fishen<:"S stitutionol SCt•up would be necessary. and mher:irea.~ lS well ~lS ()\·efSeci1'tg theU' implemcnution.

D Second NQt1t1cu1l Hnvlronmc.nt Ac-Hon Pl'iln The Ministtyofl lome Affairs. I lousing The imtitucional >rr:,ngemems for the implememation of the s,cond ond Environment will he responsibk fordevel- National Environmemal 1\ccion PIM would be ,s follows: 01>ingaU .spoc1sofcnvironment.l! policy OJ1d cn- forcemem of theEnviron.cnenml Pro<ecrion and (i) The Action Pbn cm only be implemenced through t0Uibor.11ion Preserv,cion Ace, J9')J. Tue:Miru;i;ry will also pro- and co-oper.icion of aU having a role in environme,11.J prot~tion. The ~tin• vide secrerariac services for the N~tional Com- istry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment will take,he lead in implc- mission for the Protection of the Environment men ting the Action Pbn and will work joimly with other Ministrit"' and and co-ordin,,caU nation.J environmental assess- regulacing ;igencies of the Govemmenc •nd NGOs to mo-et the objectives of ment ond managen,e,11 activities. the Action Pfan. The Miniltry of H.ome Aff:\in, Housing ond Environmenc will also be r<'Sponsible for c:he devek,pment of ,he bieru,i;,1work programmes All Ministries ond Depamncnrs having a and c0-<:1rdinating the implememation of cbework progrnmrnes. role in environmenul protection would desig- n.,reerl\'iromn,nrcolitac-rlfocal peintsfortbepu,- (,ij TbcNCPE wiUbe responsible for giving;,d,,ce on the implcmen• poses of liaison ond c<H>rdin>1ion. These focal tat ion of th<.> Action Plan and periodic revi,m·. points will also be responsible for overseeing compli,ncc wicb c-nvm,nmenml codes of prnc• (iii}Jt isexpeaed tbat concern,-d Ministries and Dcpanmems willdes- tie</g11.ideliueswithunbeirorg.misations. ignate focal poims for purposes of liaison ond cortununic.,tions. as weU as to ensure Lit.at the accivities of the Actioo Pl:m arc· followed within thelr organls.uion.s, Environmental Awa-rene-ss an([ Eaucation .. I Each indh-idwil bears responsibility for Emironment.tl education asm1aspect of genet:tl :ind voc;-.niottJl eJuc.1- environmentnlprotecrion and tbiscan only be Uon is designed to empower indhidu.,.ls to rreat namre and theenvironmenL :iclueved through effective environmental aw.ire, in a well-informrd omd responsible m:mner, Theexpansioo of second.tr')' ness.. Tr.msla.tion of awue11essimO appropriate. l>d100I t.'1.1rri..,1.1la lo include mon· siudk.-s on the specific tnviromnem:J LS)uts beluviourisalso essenti:al. To raise environmen· tal aw;in,ness and foster environmemallysound beltivi~, the President'.s Environmental Av,,•rd Scbeme will be c()ntinuetl over the years as wello.s n>tion-wide<'1mj>aigrusimihr co ,he ~Two Mil- lion Trees Campaign" •nd rbe "Independent Maldives - CleanM•ldives C,mpaign" will be conducted.. Gunpaigns to fostctcnvironment.illy sound behaviour;trnoogsi 1be public withre- g•rd ro wo.sre minimis>iion, shoppingh•bi\$, respOnsible ,ss«if non-rent'\\-.blc ~urces •nd cr-.wpon reloted "S}'«IS will be oonductoo. Prosk:lenrs Erwltonm6ntal Award Scheme of the Maldives will be undertaken as well as emp<Hver l11dj-vidu.1Jsw trcJt rnuun: AAd the emironmem in~, \Vdl-inforuit-d rt-search to establish sound foundalions for en• ond resporuible m~tnrwr. Thl! expansion of .secondary school curri...·ul.t t<) ,•ironmcntal edu01tion "'ill be fostered. Special 1ndudc more smdfes 0 11 the specific <.m\·ironmcntal issues of the M.iltlivc.•s efforn will also be unden-aken co enhance envi- w-iU bl' undert.iken as well .1.s tesc:trd1 lO establish sound foundations ior ronrncnt.1J ctlucatioo in the rrainl!lg of tetehers. environmental education ,.,,ill be fos1en."'(l. Sp<.."'Ci.d cfro11s wiU also be untfor. ukcn to enhance en,·lronmem:tl cdtu.~u!on in the training of tc-achc._~. Environmental educ.u.ion-:i.s :m us.pect of general ,md vocnioa.11 educ:acion is designed to

I Science and Research Policies for c.::nvironmcmal protection :md s11s1;iin:.'lhle .Jtvdopment rt."quire a ~ood scic.•ntifii: hasi,,;. Science h.1s tbe task of providing knowledge about the s:cate of 1hc-cm•ironmt·nt .md its sensnl\·il)' to 1hc huntcns pl.Kcd upon ii .rnd identifying che potcnri2J courses of accion for policy-nrnkcrs, Thus, to implement the seconJ N:nion..11 En\·irnnmcm Acrion Plan, 1l is necessnry to e)-rablish and run .m en\'iro□mcnt,1J re.scJrch progrJmme bJsed o.n .m .t~c-.ssment of the need.so( the various activides to be lmplementcd under lhc Anion Plan. Governrnem (')r <)ther hoc..lics .rnd im.ll\·iduals as .tppropri,ue wm take up rhe research actlvities idern ificd. Tofacillt2tethe5cieaccand rese.irch progr.uume.it ,,·illbc ntC(.~~ to: Develop• national dua b:utk wd<k1)0,'itory of cm·ironmcnt.il informaLion and ,,..p,,ns, .,n,!<;1.,blish suit,tble m:imigea,em proceduri'S to ensure the Jt'<.-cssibility of<hu.u,d other infomtluon by ,tll Deportments of the Govcmmeut who Mc oonC<'med wich the application ofsuch info,m:1tjon. Jmerf.ux:: thcenvironmcnt,d rtst.·Jrtb progr,mune ,vith those of l>thet \,ovc.•l'nmt~n~ D<:p.tnment.s in on.-kr to nu:cimise the,~ue obtained and ,tvoid duplication. Merge the reJev;1m environment rc.>sc.m.:h units md agencies to develop a nation.ii 1..-entn; ofe~,ccUtno.· t';lpab!c of providingscientificand rechnic:J cxpcn~, sopport 3n<l ~idvjce to Go\·e,mment Dqx~.nmems Jlld 0thc.. r'. 1 including provision of tooJs and methodologies. 2nd guichoce 6n e11virono:u.·otal mou.itoring ~md assessrnem u.•ch11i<.1ue.s. Provide an efficient o:uional ~ovironm~ntal information sefVice including nigol.ir publicat ion of st,tw of tht.· environment repons:. Develop a funding mech~mism to e11.,;our,1g¢ :md fosti:r t'ttvironmemal rese.trch. Human Resource Developnient ] Tbe lack of .1dequ11e manpower and resource personnel is a major In addition, prioriry will bo given ro conmaim confronting rbe M,udivcs asa whole. This is p:tl'lict1larly ,rue in pro\'i.ding bosic ""ining in environn1enr:tl :)SSCS5- most oft.he c.rwironmcnL rehued technical nnd profes.siona1a~. i\ longer- ment and monitoring, such~ be2_ch monitor- 1enn progr.unmc of hum,n r=urcc development. ,vhich goes beyoodshon- ing, ro rhe various field officers in the islands. !,1 tenn rr.ti.ning ,Jone, would be developed within a broader capacity building nn cffon to overcome the shortage in troined framework. personnel special consideration will be given 1◊ pooling the existing technical expertise ln human resource devdoprncm, priority will be given 10 =blishing aviil2ble wit'hin the country. ,md e11hanci11g l()Cl) t-.xp;:11-ise in environmental protecuon and man.igement 1hrough reni.uy level 1r.tini.ug, sp<-ci;uised shon term 1rJ.ininginclurungcontin- A special human rcsourcedevelopment u,J pmfesS1onal devdopmcm. Tminet!persounel will !,.,given 1l1copportu· progr.lmme ",jJI be fomuJar<d and implcmtnt<:d nity to contribute to their re:spt."d.ivc professional and Lechnic.U ftc:kk Lh<:n.:by 10 :u:hievetheabove. It isruso envisaged Lima yielrung op1im.1I bencfiis. '17,i.s will also help ensure the raen,ic>n of1r.1in,~I project similar 10 the Co:paci1y Enh•ncement personnel Project implemented in the first Nacion.-.! Eov~ ronmeotAction Plan period will becolllinucd and for it fu~dingwill be sough,.

Financing NE.A P2 financial support for the N;ition.al Environn1t·otal Action Plan "'ill be derived fron, a numbtro( sources.inclut.ling ,h,· national budget, particularly in accordanc,• with pro,-isions of ,he 5'' Narionru Devclopmen, Plan, from bifattr.11 •nd muhilatc-rat sources ,rnd from the priv.1tc scrwr. THE WAY FORWARD lbc scc,ond National Environment Action Plan ii,. the CQinprehcnsivc frJmcwor'k that wilJ bl! used for llu: next 6 years to ensure t:1wironmcntal prn1oc1ion and sus1aln;1blc d..:vdopmcni in the Ma1divc~. To this end, asi:ric:-. of bicnni-al programme,; \Viii be fonnulate<l and impkmemcd 1hrougJ1 v;uiou:-- Gvvc111 mcn1institutions. privatc rmd ~GO .sccto~. Environment.al issues i-tmtcgjt!s ,..,·ill be developed for 1ackJing spccHic issui:.s iJcntilicd in thi~ second National Environment Action Plan. Such :-mncgics or ac-1ion plans will be d¢vdopcd IUr - hiolngicnl diversi1y: - di111:.ue change: - integra1ed reef resources m~1n:1ge1nem including fisheries: - wurism; - t!:nvlmnme nr;1I he:a11h: -1.•o;-1stal zone ,nan,,gcmcnt. ·n-i< lcy cont:<:rns id\!ntificJ in lhh A<;tiun Plan wi ll havl' lO be- appruachc.J at the level uf island:-. and ulOlls. [Lb, planned to formuhllc .A.h1II F.nvironmcm Plans. following lhc obj-(.."ttivcs and frumewort set in thjssc~om.J National Environ· mc:nl Aclinn Plan. The Atoll f:nvimnmclll Plans will rmvid~ a f111mcwork tu enable S¢1ting of 1argc~s nt the ato ll kvd, for 1nmsla1lon 11f nn1it",n3I policic:t nn<l prioritic...;: into l(,cal actions, As impl¢mi.;ntation or lhc Action Pla.n prtM.:cC<h lhcsc tLppruachcs will be u.sc<l in a concerted way so lhat re-sponsibi J.. ily tOr variou:,; ac1ivi1ks ;11 <liffercnt 1cvcl~ uf society and Gov...:mm..:nl will be dt.·.ar 1hcn:by ensuring thal priority issue~ arc addrc:~sed, :,s. noel where .lppropri:ue. A set o f indko.Hors wil l he used to monih)r 1he ~uccess i11t the imr,leme,ll:Hi<>n of 1hi,; Action Plan :\nd prog11.:$S reviews will be undcnakcn e very two yea~ . D- .SeconJ X.uwmtl E1n 1ronmcnt A<:tion Ph111 • N t .,..... - -==---- _.__. j .•••~ ~.:.;j·1-- 1111---- NEAP ll 1999. All Rights Reserved. Published by Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment ISBN 99915-828-0-0