Protected Areas Act 2010 (Act No. 4 of 2010).

This Act makes provision for the declaration of protected areas and the protection of biological diversity. It establishes the Protected Areas Advisory Committee and the Protected Areas Trust Fund. The Act regulates the conservation and management of biological resources so as to ensure biological diversity within or outside protected areas and promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings.
The Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Minister and shall, among other things, advise the Minister on matters relating to the objects of this Act and the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and assist in formulating, developing, approving, implementing, monitoring and reviewing a national biodiversity strategy and action plan in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations.
The Director of the Environment and Conservation Division shall establish and maintain a register of protected areas. The Advisory Committee may appoint management committees consisting of owners of the protected areas, public officers, provincial government officers and any other persons to manage one or more protected areas. The Protected Areas Trust Fund shall be used for the establishment, management and other matters relating to protected areas or for other purposes as are prescribed by Regulations. The Act sets out rules for biodiversity research or bioprospecting research. Such research requires a permit of the Committee, and research on involving customary land or customary fishing areas shall be carried out on the basis of an agreement entered into with the owners of such land or areas and after other conditions established by this Act have been fulfilled.