Environment and Rural Development Strategic Plan.

This Environment and Rural Development Strategic Plan is a 5-year nationwide multi-sectoral document aiming at articulating the main priorities and strategies for the environment and rural development of the Ministry of Environment and Rural Development that will be undertaken over the reference period. The mandate of the Ministry is to develop the rural sector, protect, conserve and manage environment through sustainable development aimed at eradication of poverty, improving living standards and ensuring that a protected and conserved environment is available. The Ministry interventions will be directed to achieve (i) sustainable management of trees and the development of alternative energy (charcoal production for energy sources and a clear policy on tree protection); (ii) environmental sustainability of development policies and projects; (iii) environmental mainstreaming and coordination across line ministries, international and national NGOs and UN agencies; (iv) building institutional and human capacity for environmental and rural development governance; (v) environmental education, awareness, and advocacy; (vi) environmental and rural development information management system.
The Plan identifies the following 3 main Strategic Objectives (1) ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns with the aim of (i) allocating land as protected areas, (ii) assessing, restoring, and conserving some community-grazing reserves, (iii) increasing the number of conserved and protected endangered flora and fauna species, and (iv) implementing sustainable use of marine ecosystem specifically mangroves and other associated species and habitats; (2) take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts with the aim of (i) achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes, (ii) decreasing the release of pollution particularly to air and surface/groundwater, (iii) ensuring that communities have the relevant environmental information and awareness for lifestyle adaptation in harmony with nature, and (iv) reducing charcoal consumption from indigenous species in urban areas through the use of alternative energy sources; (3) protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss with the aim of (i) strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, (ii) improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and early warning.
As for Governance, the Ministry of Environment and Rural Development is the leading line Ministry for implementation of the Strategy. However, the implementation of this Strategic Plan is more of cross cutting and requires strong participation from all stakeholders.