National Environment Management Strategy 2015 – 2020.

This National Environment Management Strategy is a national strategy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Strategy is 5 years between 2015 and 2020. The main policy goals are (i) environmental governance, (ii) island biodiversity conservation and management, (iii) waste management and pollution control, and (iv) improving environment awareness and education.
Special emphasis will be given to biodiversity conservation. The registration of protected areas will be facilitated and coordinated for biodiversity conservation. For management and conservation of flora and fauna, a national database for national and internationally threatened species will be developed. Furthermore the entry of invasive species will be prevented through control and management as well as monitoring change and distribution of invasive species.
In order to facilitate long-term sustainability, economic and physical development will be linked with environmental protection. A sustainable financing system will be created for the effective implementation of environmental programmes, activities and projects. Investment opportunities from bilateral, multilateral, international agencies will be identified for waste management and pollution control. Research and development will be improved in linkage with the traditional knowledge. Access to information, knowledge and understanding will be enhanced to improve environmental awareness. Measures will be taken for waste management and ozone layer protection. Public awareness will be raised through formal and informal education on waste management and pollution control, community programmes on waste minimisation, composting and recycling, and public awareness campaigns. Moreover land use management will be enhanced by improving land ownership, rights, and security in accordance with the legislative acts.
Sustainable land management will be ensured by reducing soil and coastal erosion through tree planting.
Environmental considerations will be mainstreamed into governmental activities and furthermore legislations and policies will be developed and revised. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced for efficient environmental management. The Department of Environment shall monitor and review the implementation of this Strategy annually. A unit will be established to monitor and evaluate reports, projects, plans and operation of the Department of Environment.