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Integrating Biodiversity Conservation Into Impact Assessment:

The Experience of Uganda

 BERINA UWIMBABAZI

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Structure of presentation

What is Biodiversity Biodiversity Conservation in Uganda Integrating Biodiversity Conservation Into Impact

Assessment Constraints and Challenges

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What is Biodiversity?

“Means the variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial ecosystems

and aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they, are part; this includes diversity within

species, between species and of ecosystems”; (National Environment Act, 1995)

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Biodiversity Conservation in Uganda

Surveys report the occurrence of over 18,783 species that are known or have been recorded in Uganda;

Uganda harbours seven of Africa’s 18 plant kingdoms – more than any other African country;

Biodiversity conservation in Uganda is currently being managed mainly through Protected Area System in form of Forest Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Animal Sanctuaries. A network of protected areas in key biodiversity habitats has been put in place and this provided a basis for sound conservation and management;

Other Fragile Ecosystems protected by Law include Aquatic resources, Wetlands and Montane Ecosystems;

Management of Uganda’s biodiversity is largely a responsibility of Government, as a result Government has put in place relevant policies and legislative measures to support conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity;

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Cont’d

These include National Policies on environment, wildlife, fisheries and wetlands as well as National Acts on environment, wildlife, land, water and decentralisation;

During budget allocation and national planning, some budgetary items reflect biodiversity conservation requirements;

Institutions like Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Environment Management Authority, National Forest Authority, National Agricultural Research Organization, the Wetlands Inspectorate Division etc. concerned with bio-diversity have been established;

Management structures conducive to biodiversity conservation have been put in place, such as Decentralization of power to Local Governments, this for example led to the decentralization of management of natural resources

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Con’td

The National Forest Action Plan and National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy been prepared;

Awareness is being raised in local communities on the importance of biodiversity conservation

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Integration of Biodiversity Conservation in the Ugandan EIA System

The National Environment Act makes it mandatory for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to be undertaken prior to the implementation of any project likely to have adverse effects on the environment;

In the National Environment Act, Environment is defines as “the physical factors of the surroundings of the human beings, including land, water, atmosphere, climate sound, odor, taste, the biological factors of animals and plants and the social factor of aesthetics and includes both the natural and the built environment”. Going by this definition, environment in this sense covers all levels of biodiversity;

The Ugandan EIA system therefore recognizes EIA to include all the three dimensions of the environment namely; ecological, social and economic. In other words, all EIAs are expected to be carried out in a manner that embraces these aspects of the environment. It is for this reason that the practice so far has been not to separate Environmental Impact Assessment from biodiversity conservation;

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Cont’d

The National Environment Act, also lists the types of Projects that should undertake mandatory EIA studies examples include;

• Natural Conservation Areas• Agricultural Projects• Forest related activities• Dams, Rivers and Water Resources• Aerial Spraying• Transportation

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Basic steps in the Ugandan EIA Process

Step I: The developer submits a project brief to NEMA

Step II: Based on the contents of the Project Brief, the Authority (NEMA), in consultation with an appropriate lead agency(ies), carries out screening

Step III: The developer is informed of the findings and decision whether further assessment is necessary or not

Step IV: If the Project Brief is not adequate, a full Environmental Impact Study will be required

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Con’td

Step V: The Environmental Impact Study is then carried out based on approved TORs (Scoping)

Step VI: After the assessment, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is submitted to NEMA for review

Step VII: Based on the review of the EIS, a final decision is then taken on the environmental aspects of the project

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Integration of biodiversity conservation in EIA faces challenges in Uganda due to:

unclear institutional mandate lack of coordination between institutions limited capacity and experience in the area ineffective conservation networks inadequate stakeholder consultations Lack of a national land use policy Lack of a national food policy Ineffective Post EIA Monitoring and implementation of mitigation

measures

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Cont’d

Developers still do not recognise the value of EIA as a planning tool

Inadequate awareness of biodiversity issues Use and application of EIA after Project development has

commenced Lack of data to guide policy-makers and managers of

biodiversity Inadequate community participation in biodiversity-

related decision making processes

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End

Thank You