NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY
AND ACTION PLAN
(NBSAP)
The NBSAP to be prepared under a GEF/UNEP project has to build upon existing documents, programmes and proposals and further ideas. The NBSAP will provide an integrated operational framework to set priorities and guide investments. Biodiversity is affected by a wide range of activities. This plan provides a proposal for the Government, sectorial agencies, regional institutions and local governments as well as NGOs and international organisations to work together as real partners and to set a course for maintaining biodiversity and its sustainable use in the field of
¨ agriculture,
¨ biotechnology,
¨ fishery,
¨ forestry,
¨ freshwater,
¨ hunting,
¨ land use,
¨ mining,
¨ regional development and tourism.
The selection of actions should mainly be guided by their
feasibility taking into consideration the necessary financing and the implementing
organisations. It is also significant to focus on the solution of existing gaps
in the realisation of the CBD.
"The NBSAP should be prepared with special regard to
make understandable, and to secure recognition of sustainable use of the elements
of biodiversity, and to help the acceptance of sustainable
use as a real possibility, equivalent to conservation in maintaining biodiversity,
where appropriate. At the same time, strengthening of in situ and ex
situ conservation activities is also required, where the conservation, restoration
and strict protection are the only possibilities.
It should explore new strategies establishing and developing
links with interest groups and bodies including NGO's in other countries and
promote knowledge among international bodies of the often unique value of Hungarian
ecosystems. Hungary contains many sites of international importance. -The unique
inland delta legions of the rivers Danube and Tisza, wetland areas with a mosaic
of Landscapes and some of Europe last surviving floodplain forest complexes,
are home to over 1000 plant species and almost 2,500 animal species. Hungary
is the custodian of these regions and as such should be supported in its efforts
to sustain it."1.
It should also place emphasis on raising the general public awareness of the environment and the national heritage of biodiversity. Education programmes in schools, universities and other institutions can greatly help to make the public aware of the considerable genetic wealth and diversity contained within Hungary. A wealth that has value, both intrinsic and real, and that should be preserved and enhanced. By doing this the conservation of biodiversity can be seen as a responsibility for which all Hungarians must be accountable both for the benefit of themselves and for future generations.
The NBSAP project will be probably finalised in June 2000.
Out of the nine thematic teams eight (agriculture, biotechnology,
fishery, forestry, hunting, land use, mining, regional development and tourism)
prepared and they were discussed the report (thematic drafts to the NBSAP) at
open-ended national meetings. The thematic drafts have ammended according to
the discussions and suggestions made at the meetings. The team on Fresh Water
Resources Management has also completed his work and the thematic draft will
also be discussed soon.
The National Open-ended NBSAP meeting with a great interest
was held and the draft NBSAP was discussed where many complementary proposals
and suggestions for modification have been raised.
According to the schedule an official ministerial and inter-sectorial
harmonisation on the draft NBSAP follows, before to be accepted by the Government
or adopted by the Hungarian Parliament.