Swaziland’s Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

The Swaziland’s Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a national plan with a sectoral approach. The timeframe of this Plan is 6 years between 2016 and 2022. The principal objective of the Swaziland’s Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is to place biodiversity at the center of the development efforts to achieve economic growth and alleviate poverty in Swaziland, especially in rural areas.
In order to ensure sustainable utilization of ecosystems and biodiversity, (i) public awareness will be raised on the importance of the need to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity, (ii) the loss, degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats will be reduced, (iii) sustainable agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry and sustainable use of natural resources will be promoted, (iv) effective measures will be taken for pollution control, alien invasive species, (v) a vulnerability assessment will be undertaken and relevant adaptation measures will be developed on the most valuable ecosystems, and (vi) genetic diversity of cultivated plants and domesticated animals and their wild relatives will be safeguarded. A National Red data Book (NRB) for flora and fauna will be developed. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from utilization of Swaziland's genetic resources will be ensured by the domesticaion ot the Nagoya Protocol. The economic, environmental and social value of biodiversity and ecosystems will be demonstrated and integrated into decision-making and national planning processes. Plans will be developed and implemented for sustainable production and consumption of natural resources. The role of Traditional Knowledge will be promoted in conservation, thereby traditional knowledge, innovations and practises relevant to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity will be documented and protected. Mechanisms will be established to coordinate and share biodiversity information and technologies. Furthermore the Plan stresses on the contribution of education, capacity building, public awareness, data collection, technology, traditional knowledge, scientifically based information, innovation and practices in biodiversity conservation.
Ecosystems management will be incorporated into development planning by restoring and maintaining the capacity of ecosystems to deliver services taking into account the needs of women and children, local communities and those of the poor and vulnerable.
In order to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks will be enhanced.
The Project Steering Committee will coordinate and lead the implementation of this NBSAP together with the Secretariat of Swaziland Environment Authority and any additional members. The Biodiversity Programme Implementation Committee will regularly review the implementation of NBSAP and take appropriate actions to ensure that the desirable results are achieved.