June 2015 Republic of Sudan Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Physical Development Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015 -2020 Government of Republic of Sudan Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Physical Development Foreword Sudan is a country of a great diversity of plants, animals, forests, wildlife and habitats within diverse environmental systems making it endowed with flora and fauna. Biodiversity provides the basis for livelihood and sustainable social and economic development; and safeguards ecological safety and food security. Sudan is a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which calls upon all Parties to develop and update in a timely manner national biodiversity strategy and action plan for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Accordingly, Sudan developed the first National Biodiversity and Action Plan in 2002. The present document on National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which developed in a consultative process, provides the framework for taking actions by the different stakeholders in biodiversity, including the people themselves, for achieving the three objectives of the CBD, namely conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of their use and to fulfill the global Biodiversity Vision, of living in harmony with nature. This document identified the strategic goals, and priority areas and actions for biodiversity conservation Theses strategic goals, objectives and actions set by the updated NBSAP call for education, training and increasing awareness, among the people, on the value of biodiversity, and understanding of the importance of maintaining biodiversity and why it is crucial that biodiversity components are used in a sustainable manner, to ensure a change in human behavior and attitudes those result in loss of biodiversity and to ensure active participation in the implementation of the strategy and action plan. Furthermore, strengthening of the legislations and polices, increasing efforts in conserving and using biodiversity in a sustainable manner have been incorporated in the strategy as priorities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who were involved in the development of this Strategy. The challenge is to take the necessary further steps towards the implementation of the strategy and priority actions and to achieve its objectives. I therefore, request all the actors involved in the national biodiversity strategy to make their efforts for fulfilling it. We look forward for further cooperation and collaboration among all the stakeholders at all levels including national and international in implementing the NBSAP. i Government of Republic of Sudan Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Physical Development Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources Preface This National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is a key planning tool for conservation of the country’s biodiversity and for fulfilling the commitments of Sudan towards the international obligations. The strategy and priority actions take into account the national policies, strategies and comprehensive plans. It also takes into consideration the national priority needs in terms of conservation, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits. The strategy will be implemented in collaboration and partnership with all relevant stakeholders. Funding is a major challenge in this regard. While the national government role is major in providing necessary financial resources, all stakeholders have to be as creative and active as possible to obtain funding from different internal and external sources for implementing the different proposed actions. Our great appreciation should go to the late Professor El Wakeel who has the incitation role in the development of the this strategy, put in place the road map on which others go and the solid base without it this document may not be in hands. I would like to thank project team for their dedication and hard work to complete this task in time. I wish also to express my great appreciation to the Global Environment Facility and United Nation Development Program for financial support. ii Government of Republic of Sudan Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Physical Development Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources Acknowledgement The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a framework, based on the national priorities and capacities taking into account the global targets included in the Strategic Plan of Action 2011-2020. Its aims to integrate Sudan obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity into national development and sectoral planning framework through a renewed and participative biodiversity planning and strategizing process, in manner that is in line with the global guidance contained in CBD 2011-2020 Strategic Plan. The document provides a comprehensive review on the status of the country’s biodiversity, threats and causes of biodiversity loss in Sudan, describes strategic goals, priority areas and actions and the enabling environment for implementation of NBSAP. It also outlines the financing and implementation arrangement, identifies Strengths, gaps and priority needs in national capacities and technologies for biodiversity management. The updated NBSAP is the output of the valuable contributions of key stakeholders from different sectors. I would like to appreciate all efforts and inputs made by all government agencies, civil society, NGOs private sectors and individual experts, who contribute in different ways in the preparation of this document. My grateful thanks are to everyone who provided his valuable comments and suggestions. I would like to put on record the great efforts and input made by the late professor Ahmed Suliman EL Wakeel who devoted himself to this work until the last moments of his life. I also acknowledge the efforts and valuable input made by the former manger professor Mirghani Osman Ibnoaf. My sincere thanks are extended to H.E. Minister of Environment Hassan Abdelgadir Hilal and to Under Secretary of the ministry of Environment and GEF operational Focal Point Dr. Babiker Abdalla for their follow up and continuous support. Successful completion of this work would not have been possible without the assistant, support and cooperation of the staff of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources; I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of them. Finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Program for their financial support to prepare the NBSAP. iii Contributors Project Management Late Prof. Ahmed Suliman EL Wakeel Prof. Mirghani Osman Ibnoaf Dr. EL Khitma EL Awad Mohammed Mayada Hassan Abdelgadir Hilal Marium Taha NBSAP update taskforce members Prof. Yousif Mohamed Ahmed Idris Prof. Elrasheed Suliman Modawi Prof. Abdelrahman Khidir Osman Prof. Babo Fadlalla Mohamed Dr. Eltahir brahim Mohamed Capacity and Technology needs assessments Dr.. Sawsan Khirelseed Abdelraheem Mr. Khahl Mohamed El Amin Ms. Sara Mohamed Mubarak Ms. Ula Abdelaziz Makkawi Mr. Ashbo Ohaj Faki Monitoring and Communication, Extension and Outreach strategies Dr. Asia Adlan Mohamed Dr. EL Khitma EL Awad Mohammed Mr. Jamal Yousif Mohamed Table of contents Foreword ..................................................................................................................................... i Preface ........................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgement ..................................................................................................................... iii Contributors ............................................................................................................................... iv Table of contents ........................................................................................................................ v Acronyms and Abbreviations ..................................................................................................... ix List of tables ................................................................................................................................ x List of maps ................................................................................................................................. x Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... xi Part I: Background ..................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 .................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Sudan Geography and Environment ....................................................................... 1 1.2 Rationale ................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2 ...................................................................................................................................