National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) 2013 – 2018.

This National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) is a nationwide multisectoral document revising the first NEAP of 1994. It aims at (i) highlighting the state of the environment by identifying key environmental issues; (ii) addressing environmental challenges at all levels of Government; (iii) identifying the most appropriate strategies for addressing the key problems as well as implementing actions to achieve environmental sustainability; (iv) outlining a process for the government to set priority actions to improve environmental conditions. The implementation approach takes into account the institutional arrangement as stipulated under the Environmental Management Act of 2004 (EMA 2004). The time frame for implementation is categorized as short-term (0-2 years), medium-term (2-5 years), and long-term (5 years and above). The document addresses the following main challenges/issues (i) land degradation; (ii) water resources degradation and pollution; (iii) degradation of aquatic resources; (iv) loss of wildlife habitats and biodiversity; (v) deforestation; (vi) urban pollution; (vii) climate change; (viii) modern biotechnology; (ix) electric and electronic equipment wastes; (x) invasive alien species; and (xi) biofuels.
The Action Plan focuses on the protection of the environment and proposes a number of actions in the different field, such as (1) land degradation by (i) carrying out “environmental mapping” for identifying highly degraded and fragile areas; (ii) promoting sustainable agricultural practices and use of traditional knowledge in land management; (2) water resources by (i) strengthening implementation of integrated water resources management plans and promoting sustainable utilization of aquatic resources; (ii) establishing and improving wastewater management systems in urban centers; (iii) strengthening integrated solid waste management system; (iv) promoting wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse; (v) promoting conservation and sustainable use of mangroves and coastal forest and ecosystem approach in aquatic protected areas; (vi) preventing pollution in aquatic systems; (vii) strengthening capacity building and awareness on the management of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; (3) forest protection by (i) implementing measures to control deforestation, overgrazing and pollution and strengthening tree planting and conservation campaign; (ii) strengthening wildlife management areas and implementation of measures to control wildlife poaching and illegal harvesting of forestry products; (iii) promoting monitoring and conservation of endangered and threatened species; (iv) promoting sustainable production of charcoal; (4) energy production and conservation by (i) strengthening energy conservation programs; (ii) promoting use of alternative energy sources; (iii) promoting use of traditional knowledge that enhance environmental conservation; (iv) promoting use of excreta and other organic waste as sources of energy; (v) promoting research and disseminate information on biofuels development.
To increase inclusive economic and social growth, the Action Plan proposes (i) strengthening national research, extension services, and farmer organizations in land use and information sharing; (ii) promoting local communities' participation in the enforcement of water abstraction; (iii) promoting participatory fishery management and raise awareness on sustainable fisheries; (iv) promoting regional cooperation on management of transboundary water resources; (v) promoting research and dissemination of findings on aquatic resources management; (vi) promoting research and dissemination of findings on wildlife and biodiversity.
As for Governance, the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of NEAP will involve local communities, civil societies, private sector, academic and research institutions, Local Government Authorities, Central Government, and Policy makers. The key stakeholders in the implementation of the NEAP are presented in the Implementation Plan and will be under the coordination of the Vice President’s Office. Stakeholders are obliged to prepare and submit annual progress report to the Vice President’s Office.