NBSAP:
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
The Cook Islands
are fifteen islands widely spread over the
Pacific Ocean, with an oceanic EEZ of about
two million square kilometres. The islands
are remotely located on a biological diversity
gradient, which decreases eastwards into the
Pacific and southwards away from the equator.
It may just look like tiny specks of land
scattered over the vastness of the Pacific
Ocean, but they are beautifully unique and
teeming with life. It is one of the most biologically
diverse countries in the South Pacific. Vegetation
varies from montane rainforest on Rarotonga
through lowland limestone forest on Mauke
to beach forest on atoll islands and reef
islets in the Northern group islands. Regardless
of the size, type or degree of isolation of
the Cook Islands, these islands have plants,
animals and micro-organisms that are critical
to the continuing health and survival of each
islands biodiversity and the Cook Islands
people who depends on it for their survival.
|
|
A Cook
Islands Biodiversity Database
have been provided by the Cook Islands
Natural Heritage Project which lists most
plants and animals found in the Cook Islands.
Presently, the database lists about 4,000
species of plants, animals and micro-organisms
however there are still thousands more
species out there that needs to be recorded.
Cook
Islands National Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan Add-on Project (NBSAP-add
on)
The National Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan Add-on Project (NBSAP-add
on) is funded through the UNDP/GEF to
enable the Cook Islands to assess capacity
building needs and define the countries
specific priorities in the areas of in-situ
and ex-situ conservation, methods to assess
threats to biodiversity and traditional
knowledge, practices and innovations.
Further more the project aims to create
a way of sharing information by setting
up a website on biodiversity and related
matter. As a result it will improve the
capacity of local people to sustainably
manage their biodiversity resources.
Implementation
arrangements
The overall
responsibility of the Biodiversity project
lies with the Environment Service, who
is responsible to Cabinet for the achievement
of agreed project objectives. The Environment
Service sees to the day-to-day management
of the Biodiversity add-on Project under
the management of the International Environment
Advisor in close consultations with the
Director of the Environment Services.
The Ministry
of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM)
also plays a major role in the dissemination
of the Biodiversity add-on project funds.
Funds by the project are received directly
by MFEM who monitor and facilitate the
disbursement of funds.
The day
to day administration and coordination
of the project activities are the responsibility
of the project coordinator who works closely
with the Project manager and Technical
advisor.
Steering
Committee
Seven steering
committee members appointed by the Cook
Islands Government in April 2003 for the
Add-on project have been selected from
key stakeholders in Biodiversity related
issue.
The role
of the steering committee members is to
guide the project and ensure, project
activities are compiled with the project
document. Also, to provide support and
advise on the implementation of project
activities. Each steering committee member
has a role to play in regards to the progress
of the Biodiversity project. They also
provide a useful forum for discussion
of issues affecting the environment, not
necessary related directly to the add-on
project.
Project
progress
Five pilot
projects were developed and the basis
for developing these pilot projects was
so that work could be broken down into
different areas and that the project is
set in a way that it implements some action
in the NBSAP strategic goals which ties
in closely and meets with the NBSAP add-on
Project objectives on in-situ and ex-situ
conservation, threats to Biodiversity
and preservation of traditional knowledge,
practices and innovations.
The
five pilot projects are:
1
Survey and Conserve endemic and rare native
plants
The focus of this consultancy is on endemic
and rare native flowering plants to see
whether these plants are at threat of
becoming lost and which methods can be
used to conserve them, in-situ or ex-situ
conservation. Also, identifying the locations
of these plants, their abundance and habitat.
2
Survey and Conserve the rare plants used
in vai rakau (Herbal Medicine)
The focus of this consultancy is on rare
plants used in herbal medicine. Looking
at the abundance, threat and knowledge
of herbal plants and medicines. The islands
of Mangaia and Mitiaro are the main focus
of this consultancy.
3
Survey and Reduce the impacts of invasive
species on native and domestic plants
and animals
This consultancy focuses on invasive species
on the Islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki,
Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. The pilot project
identifies major invasive plants and animals
on these islands, where are they located,
there abundance and how are they a threat
and what are best control methods.
4
National system of protected areas
Consultancy four focuses on the establishment
of a National system for protected areas
on the islands of Rarotonga, Atiu and
Suwarrow.
5
Suwarrow National Park Management Plan
This consultancy concerns the development
of a National Park Authority for Suwarrow.
Also, to see whether the Suwarrow should
remain under the authorisation of the
government or under NGO.
Education
and Awareness
Education
is a key area in building the capacity
of local people, so that they can be responsible
in caring for Biodiversity issues. The
Biodiversity Project and other environment
related projects are combining their resources
to embark on a media campaign by putting
together an awareness Program targeting
the schools and the general public.
Some of
the information released out to the public
for awareness are being captivated by
some of the schools. Teachers collect
these information and discuss them with
their students. Also as an activity students
write short stories and draw posters using
the information released.
One document
that has helped in the awareness of Biodiversity
is the dissemination of the Cook Islands
Biodiversity Strategy and Actions book.
Where all the schools and Government departments
have received copied of this document.
