4.1. National forest policy
4.2. Laws and others rules
4.3. Institutions involved in forest genetic resources
To support an effective institutional framework for a national programme that ensure sustainable conservation and utilization of forest genetic resources in the dry zone, relevant policy intentions and legislative tools are a pre-requisite requirement. The currently revised forest policy statements, that are yet to be endorsed by parliament, support the need for conservation of forest biodiversity. The Forest Act, intended to support the forest policy intensions, is currently undergoing revision and it is hoped that this will be elaborate in areas of forest genetic conservation and development. More important in the elaboration would be to identify responsibilities and coordination of a grassroot supported national programme in the management, conservation and sustainable utilization of forest and tree genetic resources.
Presently a debate is in place on modalities for access of germplasm and rights of utilization. Access and use will no doubt be influenced by external factors realising that potential for genetic utilization in various development avenues go beyond the national boundaries.
The present legislation is not supportive of elaborate training and capacity building in genetic conservation initiatives. There is still a serious lack of adequate awareness on the importance and role of genetic resources in development. More notable is lack of focal point in the coordination and awareness creation of the role of sustainable management and use of forest genetic resource, and more so in the dry areas where environmental conditions are more fragile.
The Government has put in place national laws and regulations to guide proper management and use of forest and trees resources. In doing so the Government has taken into consideration the international interests as declared in the various conventions and agreements. The table below lists the government’s expression of interest in the various areas of natural resource development and conservation.
Table 11: Laws and others rules on FGR management
|
Laws and others rules |
Creation or ratification |
|
Convention on biological diversity (CBD) |
Ratified |
|
Convention on CITES |
Ratified |
|
National forest policy |
Revised 2001 |
|
National Forestry Law |
Revised 2001 |
|
National Environment Law |
New Act |
|
RAMSAR Convention |
Ratified |
|
World heritage Convention |
Ratified |
|
FCCC |
Ratified |
|
Convention to Combat Desertification |
Ratified |
A number of national institutions and NGOs exist that undertakes activities related to tree germplasm conservation, management and utilization especially as component of biodiversity initiatives. But on-going activities on genetic conservation are small, disjointed, uncoordinated and of no likely consequent impact on a national scale. In any case the approaches and methodologies used are narrow in their genetic conservation perspectives. Table 12 below shows the role of various organisations in forest genetic resources development.
