Government to develop national strategy on biodiversity

Nairobi, Kenya: The Government will develop a national biodiversity strategy to mitigate widespread destruction of the environment, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities says. The Deputy Director for Multi Lateral Environmental Agreements, Mr Parkinson Ndonye, told a stakeholder’s workshop on biodiversity mapping that the threat had intensified over time calling for urgent attention.

“The threats to biodiversity have grown in magnitude and complexity hence the need for National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).” he noted.

He spoke at a three day workshop in Nanyuki which brought together stakeholders from the ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Nature Kenya, NEMA, NACOSTI, Indigenous Information Networks and National Museums of Kenya among others to discuss Terms of Reference (TOR) for a national consultancy.

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities is in the process of seeking the services of a consultant to take stock and assess biodiversity and ecosystem services in Kenya. Mr Ndonye said the consultant will collate and analyze data to identify gaps and key issues in conservation sustainable use and benefit sharing of biodiversity resources in Kenya.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is the principal instrument for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at National levels. Article 6 of the Convention requires contracting Parties to develop an NBSAP and to integrate conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into sectoral and cross-sectoral activities.