National Environmental Policy.

The goal of the National Environmental Policy for Lesotho is to protect and conserve the environment with a view to achieving sustainable development for the country. The instrument is focused on the social and economic dimensions, the management and conservation of natural resources, improvement of environmental quality and promotion of community participation in these matters.
The document outlines several policy objectives, for example: to secure a high quality of environment to enhance population’s health and well-being; to use and conserve the environment and natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations; to halt environment degradation, and to restore, maintain and enhance the ecosystems and ecological processes for the functioning of the biosphere and for preserving biodiversity; to empower women to play a key role in natural resource use and management activities. Participation will also be promoted through environmental education and public awareness.
To contribute to food security, the instrument promotes sustainable small-scale urban agriculture. The aim is to alleviate urban poverty and malnutrition.
Further the policy seeks to make agriculture more productive and sustainable. To this end, different strategies are outlined: provide technical assistance and training to achieve sustainable agricultural development; encourage land conservation and rehabilitation; promote conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for sustainable food production and agricultural development; encourage integrated pest management; encourage organic farming; conserve water for sustainable food production.
The policy seeks to contribute to poverty reduction, in both rural and urban areas. To achieve this objective, different strategies are foreseen, for instance accelerating efforts to create employment opportunities and encouraging diversification of farming.
Regarding sustainable management of natural resources, initiatives to be implemented under this policy shall focus on the following programme areas: integrated approach to planning and management of land resources; agriculture and food security; mitigating climate change; combating drought and desertification; water resources management; sanitation and waste management; air and noise pollution control; environmental impact assessments, audits and monitoring.