National Policy on Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Sri Lanka

Ministry of Environment
’Sobadam Piyasa’, 416/C/1,
Robert Gunawardana Mawatha, Battaramulla,
Sri Lanka
2022
 National Policy on Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Sri Lanka

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Table of Content.

1. Introduction. ................................................................................................................... 2
1.1. Background..................................................................................................................... 2
1.2. The rationale for a National Policy............................................................................... 3
1.3. Scope and the Applicability of the Policy..................................................................... 3
2. Vision, Mission, and Policy Goals................................................................................. 4
2.1. The vision of the Policy. ................................................................................................. 4
2.2. The mission of the Policy. .............................................................................................. 4
2.3. The goal of the Policy..................................................................................................... 4
2.4. Objectives of the Policy.................................................................................................. 4
3. Thematic Areas, Policy Statements, and Policy Thrust Areas................................... 4
3.1. Thematic Area: Compliance and Adherence to the Policy. ....................................... 5
3.2. Thematic Area: Identification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas. ........................ 6
3.3. Thematic Area: Declaration of Environmentally Sensitive Areas............................. 6
3.4. Thematic Area: Management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas. ......................... 7
3.5. Thematic Area: Equality in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.................................. 9
3.6. Thematic Area: Sustainable Financing for Management of Environmentally
Sensitive Areas. ............................................................................................................. 10
3.7. Thematic Area: Monitoring and Reviewing of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.. 10
3.8. Thematic Area: Policy on Knowledge Management of Environmentally Sensitive
Areas.............................................................................................................................. 11
Terminologies. ..........................................................................................................................

Effective date of the Policy

The National Policy on Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Sri Lanka is approved by the Cabinet
of Ministers on XXXX (The Cabinet Decision No. XX).
1. Introduction.
1.1. Background.
Sri Lanka is an island nation, exhibiting remarkable biological diversity and is considered to be
the richest country in the Asian region in terms of species concentration. Ecological,
climatic, soil and topographical variability across the country provides favorable conditions for a
wide array of species of flora and fauna in most localities. Due to extraordinary biodiversity
and species concentration, the country has been identified as one of the biodiversity hotspots in the
Asian region. The distinctive biodiversity of Sri Lanka consists of species richness, gene pool,
and numerous diverse habitat assortment of forests, wetlands, coastal, marine, freshwater,
and agricultural ecosystems. Environmental services render uniqueness of Sri Lankan
biodiversity and ecosystems.
The National Red List (2012) reveals that there are 253 land snail species, 245 butterfly species,
240 birds, 211 reptiles, 748 vertebrates, 1,492 invertebrates. 43% of vertebrate species reported are
endemic; in more detail, 87% of amphibians, 59% of Reptiles, 19% of mammals, and 7% of birds
are endemic to the country. 336 Pteridophyte and 3,154 flowering plants are scattered around the
country and 916 plant species are endemic. Sri Lankan biodiversity brings economic,
ecological, and aesthetic values to the local community and beyond. However, due to both natural
and anthropogenic reasons, the biodiversity in Sri Lanka is threatened, especially, it is significant
amongst the endemic species.
In terms of natural resources, Sri Lanka constitutes well with lands, forests, waters, minerals, and
biodiversity. Minerals and rocks in Sri Lanka contribute to micro and macroeconomic geology and
have spread around the country. Annual Report 2019 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka states that
while the contribution of the agriculture sector to the GDP was 7 % and mining and quarrying was
2.3%. The percentage of total employment in the agriculture sector was 25.3 and the mining and
quarrying sector was 0.7 in the same year. Nature - the natural capital of Sri Lanka is the
fundamental source and magnet in the economic growth of the country.
The World Risk Index named Sri Lanka as a country of ‘high chances of disasters’ with the rank
of 109 in 2017, and the Climate Risk Index of Sri Lanka was 31 in 2019. The National Building
Research Organization estimates that 20 -30% of the total land area in the country where 30 – 38%
of the country population lives has been identified as vulnerable to landslides.
Management of the environment, its natural resources, and biodiversity are vital in achieving
sustainable development goals. Population pressure, increasing demand for natural resources,
less environmentally sensitive development planning, practices and infrastructure,
environmental pollution, and illegal trades are among the major contributors to the depletion of
natural resources and decline of biodiversity.
In this scenario, Environmentally Sensitive Areas require special protection as they are

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environmentally, ecologically, economically, and socially significant in ensuring resilient

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communities and economies and also in achieving sustainable development goals.

1.2. The rationale for a National Policy.

Certain Environmentally Sensitive Areas and environmentally sensitive features have been
protected in Sri Lanka under the various policy, legal and institutional frameworks, in different
forms; area-based and species or feature-based in both the regulatory approach and conservation
approach. While the Protected Areas are committed to conserving their nature and biodiversity
with its associated ecosystem services and cultural values, there is a significant extent of
Environmentally Sensitive Areas side of Protected Areas around the country without an effective
conservation and management framework.

Accordingly, such Environmentally Sensitive Areas, which are identified as exceptionally specific
areas for achieving specific outcomes to conserve biodiversity are hereafter defined by this Policy
as ‘an area outside the Protected Areas, that is vital for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity
and its services/or the productivity of water, soil and other natural resources to provide ecological,
environmental, economic and cultural benefits to the local community involved, as well as to the
nation and global community as a whole, are essential to conserve and manage for ensuring the
well-being of human and environment, resilience communities and sustainable development, by
introducing mechanisms to identify sensitive land parcels, management models and
novel economic models that enables continued use of services already enjoyed by the nation and
ensures water, energy and food security of the nation.
Therefore, this area-based distinct conservation and management approach is proposed for filling
the gaps in the conservation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas that are encountered outside the
Protected Areas. However, this policy does not interfere with the process of declaration of protected
areas by any statutory body.

1.3. Scope and the Applicability of the Policy.

The purpose of the Policy is to attenuate potential risks to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas and
their associated systems, economies, and communities. The scope of the Policy applies to the
establishment of an effective approach and development of a mechanism with appropriate
procedures for identification and sustainable management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas
with their environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic values. This Policy shall apply to both
the public and private lands accordingly.
The policy shall guide to designate an Environmentally Sensitive Area based on the best scientific
data available and consideration of the economic and any other relevant impact of such
designation.
Therefore, the Policy shall be applicable for both the existing and forthcoming laws and
regulations, action plans, and all interventions in the public and private sector, and of the
communities.
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2. Vision, Mission, and Policy

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Goals.
2.1. The vision of the
Policy.
A healthy, safer, and conserved environment and economy across Environmentally
Sensitive
Areas for socioeconomic wellbeing and livable habitat for
all.

2.2. The mission of the

Policy.
Enabling platforms at all levels for a participatory and conscious decision-making process for
the public and private sector, and communities in land use planning and sustainable land
management in Environmentally Sensitive Areas, as nature-based solutions to enhance
the integrity of conservation, resilience to climate change, and wise use of natural capital in
development.

2.3. The goal of the

Policy.
Creating an enabling environment at all levels by providing visionary directions for
effective conservation and management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, and their
socioeconomic, environmental, and bio-cultural services and values, with the public,
private, and community participation.

2.4. Objectives of the

Policy.
To promote a conceptual and regulatory framework in conservation and management of
Environmentally Sensitive Areas with public, private, and community
participation.
To enhance the local and sectoral economies that are bound with the biodiversity and use of
natural resources, through promoting and facilitating for management of Environmentally
Sensitive Areas sustainably.
To ensure social equality and environmental justice through enhancing access to resources and
opportunities for all equitably in sharing socio-economic benefits and burdens at
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
To facilitate research, innovation, education, and knowledge sharing initiatives in
Environmentally
Sensitive
Areas.

3. Thematic Areas, Policy Statements, and Policy Thrust

Areas.
This Policy recognizes that the Environmentally Sensitive Areas are vibrant and need adequate
protection for sustainable use, and therefore, the following 12 Policy Statements are made under
8 thematic areas and suggest 38 Thrust
Areas.
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3.1. Thematic Area: Compliance and Adherence to the Policy.

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Policy Statement (1):
By recognizing the environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic values of Environmentally
Sensitive Areas, all persons and institutions living in or managing of land or resources or any
activities on or connected with an Environmentally Sensitive Area, shall comply with the Policy
Statements of this Policy and the Guideline on the Identification and Management
of Environmentally Sensitive Areas that is set out in aligned with the Policy (hereafter the
Guideline), in land use planning and practices, irrespective of the land ownership.

Thrust Area 1.1: The Secretary to the Ministry of Environment shall issue Guidelines on
Identification and Management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas and
shall amend as it is required, with the approval of the National Steering
Committee of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 1.2: The public institutions that own or manage land parcels of Environmentally
Sensitive Areas shall develop institutional guidelines as appropriate in line
with the Guidelines on Identification and Management of Environmentally
Sensitive Areas, and declare and ensure implementation of such guidelines.

Thrust Area 1.3: The following categories of public institutions which are directly involved
in ecosystems in Environmental Sensitive Areas, shall developed the
sectoral guidelines in consultation with relevant Ministries and direct
stakehlder institutions to regulate use of ecosystems in Environmental
Sensitive Areas.
(a) The Public Institutions that are mandatory for conservation and
management of biodiversity and environmental services (Department of
Forest Conservation, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Department
of Irrigation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian
Development, Department of Animal Production and Health,
National Aquaculture Development Authority, Central Environment
Authority, Marine Environment Protection Authority, National
Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Department
of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, Department
of National Zoological gardens, Department of National Botanical
gardens, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Disaster
Management Center, National Building Research Organization, etc.),
(b) Environmental Services receiving or services managing institutions
(National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Ceylon Electricity Board,
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, etc.),
(c) Financial services regulatory institutions (Central Bank of Sri Lanka,
Finance Commission, etc.).
Thrust Area 1.4: Urban Development Authority shall declare relevant urban planning and
development regulations in compliance with the Guidelines on
Identification and Management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas for the
 effect of Environmentally Sensitive Areas that are fallen within areas

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declared under the Urban Development Authority Act.

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3.2. Thematic Area: Identification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Policy Statement (2):
Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be identified based on a scientific evaluation carried out as
per the Guidelines on Identification and Management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 2.1: The areas of criterion for identification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas
shall be (a) significance of biodiversity and vegetation types, (b) ecosystem
services, (giving special attention to the water sources, watershed areas and
flood plains which are providing such ecosystem services) and (c) based on
the significance of land for the resilience for climate change and disaster risk
reduction.
Thrust Area 2.2: Identification shall be based on the valuation of each land parcel, which is
carried out assessing the percentage of contribution of each of the above-
mentioned three areas separately to the total value of the land parcel, which
enables it to be identified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area.
Thrust Area 2.3: Selection of the land parcels shall be based on the latest information
available in the country and validated by the relevant government
institutions in consultation with academia and other interested parties.
Thrust Area 2.4: Communities, Civil Society Organizations, and public institutions shall be
encouraged and facilitated to carry out researches and identify and nominate
Environmentally Sensitive Areas based on their local, indigenous, or
scientific knowledge.
Thrust Area 2.5: Ministry of Environment shall continue identification of new
Environmentally Sensitive Areas systematically and periodically in
consultation with the National Steering Committee.

3.3. Thematic Area: Declaration of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

Policy Statement (3):
Identified Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be announced by the Secretary to the Ministry of
Environment on the recommendation of the National Steering Committee on Environmentally
Sensitive Area.

Policy Statement (4):

When an Environmentally Sensitive Area is being announced, the relevant statutory authorities that
hold land ownership and/or mandatory for land management, or conservation of particular species
or types of land parcels, shall declare the establishment of Environmentally Sensitive Area, and
pass regulations relating to land use planning and land management practices relating to the
Environmentally Sensitive Area.
Thrust Area 4.1: When Environmentally Sensitive Areas are fallen within the local

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government areas, the Local Government Authorities shall pass by-laws, as

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appropriate, in compliance with the regulations passed under the Policy
Statement 4 and guidelines established under the Trust Areas 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
and 1.4 to regulate mandatory services.

Policy Statement (5):

Declared Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be incorporated into the area land use maps by the
Land Use Policy Planning Department for sustainable land use planning and practices.

3.4. Thematic Area: Management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

Policy Statement (6):
Management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, at all levels, shall adhere to the key principles
of environmental governance, including a rights-based approach in natural resource management
and public-private partnerships.
Thrust Area 6.1: The National Steering Committee, convened by the Secretary to the
Ministry of Environment and co-chaired by the Secretaries to the Ministry
of the subjects of Environment and Land shall oversee the administration,
implementation, and monitoring of the Policy, and the Committee shall
composite with the relevant public, private, academic and community
representation, as detailed below.
a. Secretaries or the nominees of the Secretaries of the Ministries of the
subjects of Environment, Land, Public Administration, Mahaweli
Development, Forest, Wildlife Resources, Fisheries, Irrigation,
Agriculture, Disaster Management, Plantation, Urban Development,
Local Government and Provincial Councils, and Finance,
b. Heads of the Departments or the nominees of the Department of Forest,
Wildlife, Land Use Policy Planning, Irrigation, Coastal Conservation,
Archaeological, National Physical Planning, and Attorney General
Department,
c. Commissioner General of Land, and Commissioner General of Agrarian
Development,
d. Director General of Central Environmental Authority, Mahaweli
Development Authority, National Aquatic Resources Research and
Development Agency, Irrigation, Disaster Management Centre, Sri
Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Urban Development
Authority, Land Reform Commission, and Director of Natural
Resources Management Centre, and General Manager of Sri Lanka
Land Development Cooperation and Marine Environment Protection
Authority.
 e. Directors of Biodiversity Secretariat, Climate Change Secretariat of

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Ministry of Environment, and Environment Planning and Economics

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Division,
f. Three members of biodiversity expert group of the Biodiversity
Secretariat, two independent environmental scientists or activists, two
academics or professionals in the field of development planning, climate
change adaptation and mitigation, natural resources management, etc.,
g. Two members from environment conservation community-based
organizations and two from the private sector engaging in
environmental conservation or research and innovations related to
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
h. Sensitivity on age, gender, and diversity including diversity in
languages, shall be ensured in selecting members for the National
Steering Committee under the above subsection (f) and (g).

Furthermore, an appropriate national level committee established in the

Ministry of Environment shall be used to function as the steering committee
and relevant institutions shall be called to this committee upon the necessity.
Thrust Area 6.2: The Secretary to the Ministry of Environment shall assign a relevant
Division of the Ministry as the coordinating body of Administration of the
Policy.
Thrust Area 6.3: The District Environment Committee shall also serve as the District
Management Committee on Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The
Committee shall facilitate for and oversee the management of
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 6.4: The Divisional Environment Committee shall also serve as the Divisional
Management Committee on Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The
Committee shall facilitate, coordinate and monitor the management of
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 6.5: Irrespective of the administrative boundaries, each Environmentally
Sensitive Area shall be managed by a ‘Committee’ with the composition of
relevant stakeholders.
Thrust Area 6.6: The individuals and institutions of land ownership or land management of a
particular Environmentally Sensitive Area shall be held accountable for
protection, monitoring, and reporting of especial biodiversity significances
and environmental services of the particular Environmentally Sensitive
Area.
Thrust Area 6.7: Latest data-driven Environmentally Sensitive Areas Management Plans will
be developed for each Environmentally Sensitive Area by the respective
Environment Sensitive Area Management Committee or the individuals or
institutions that hold land ownership or engage in land management of a
particular Environmentally Sensitive Area.
Thrust Area 6.8: Environmental evaluation and valuation will be done before the preparation
of management plans for each Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 6.9: Conservation of biodiversity significances that were considered for valuing

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the land parcel will compulsorily be taken as environmental conservation

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indicators of the particular Management Plan.
Thrust Area 6.10: Due concerns shall be given for balancing the interest of socio-economic
development, environmental conservation, and resilient economies and
communities in the management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 6.11: Valuing the principle of a ‘common goal’, ‘agreed agenda’ and ‘shared
responsibility in the conservation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, co-
management approach shall be adopted as appropriate, in managing
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 6.12: Technical and financial contribution of the private sector, academia, and
community-based organizations that engage in environmental conservation
shall be recognized and encouraged in participation in contributing to in
managing Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 6.13: Adhering to the Environmental Policy Integration approach, conservation
of Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be integrated into area and
sectoral development plans at all levels.
Thrust Area 6.14: Public shall have access to information relating to the Environmentally
Sensitive Areas, and its management as per the laws relating to the Rights
to Information in Sri Lanka.

3.5. Thematic Area: Equality in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

Policy Statement (7):
Environmental justice shall be guaranteed for all persons with no discrimination at any level in the
identification and management of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, and in benefits and burden-
sharing of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, in both the vertical and horizontal axes.

Policy Statement (8):

Nothing in this Policy prevents offering special provisions for indigenous or disadvantaged
communities in managing and in benefit and burden-sharing of Environmentally Sensitive Areas,
for the advancement of such communities.

Policy Statement (9):

The National Steering Committee and the District and Divisional Environmental Sensitive Areas
Committees will establish appropriate relief and redress mechanisms, including conflict mitigation
mechanisms, with an effective process for the justice of disadvantaged or aggrieved parties in the
declaration, management, and benefits sharing of Environmental Sensitive Areas.
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3.6. Thematic Area: Sustainable Financing for Management of Environmentally
Sensitive

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Are
as.
Policy Statement
(10):
Special provisions shall be made available, by all relevant public and private institutions,
to encourage local communities and industries, to transform to and engage in
Environmentally Sensitive Area friendly production, service providing, and development
activities.
Thrust Area 10.1: Public and private sector at national, subnational, and local levels,
shall ensure required financial flows for effective
implementation of Environmentally Sensitive Area Management Plans.
Thrust Area 10.2: Environmentally Sensitive Areas Conservation Trust Fund shall
be established at the divisional levels for conservation of
environment significance in the Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 10.3: Green financing initiatives and practices shall be promoted by the relevant
authorities, including the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and
Finance Commission, for the benefit of Environmentally Sensitive
Areas.
Thrust Area 10.4: Innovative and incentive schemes shall be introduced and promoted for
the communities and industries engaging in environment-friendly
research, innovations, productions, services, and development activities
connected to Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Thrust Area 10.5: The authorities of declaration of Environmentally Sensitive Areas
shall purchase or lease the development rights or subdividing rights
of the landowner of private land in the Environmentally Sensitive
Areas as a conservation easement, as appropriate and with the
consent of the landowners, with financial facilities from any public or
private sources, to protect and conserve endangered species,
significant habitats and places vital for disaster resilience.

3.7. Thematic Area: Monitoring and Reviewing of Environmentally Sensitive

Areas. Policy Statement (11):
Environmentally Sensitive Areas and their management shall be monitored scientifically and
in a participatory manner.
Thrust Area 11.1: Continuous and periodic assessments shall be carried out
in Environmentally Sensitive Areas for revaluing of the (a)
significance of biodiversity and vegetation types, (b) environmental
services, and (c) significance of land for the resilience for climate
change and disaster risk reduction.
Thrust Area 11.2: A scientific Biodiversity Conservation Monitoring System will
be established, to evaluate the reduction of threats to and
conservation of biodiversity significance, on-site and remotely, under
the guidance of the National Steering Committee and facilitation
of the Ministry of Environment.
Thrust Area 11.3: Monitoring and reviewing of Management of Environmentally

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Sensitive
Areas shall be held periodically at all required levels.

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Thrust Area 11.4: The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Management Committees shall
periodically make available the conservation status of biodiversity elements
and environmental services of respective Environmentally Sensitive Areas
to the public knowledge and also report to the National Steering Committee.
Thrust Area 11.5: Considering the national demand for conservation of biodiversity in certain
Environmentally Sensitive Areas, the Environmentally Sensitive Areas
shall be graded as Protected Areas under a relevant legal framework.

3.8. Thematic Area: Policy on Knowledge Management of Environmentally Sensitive

Areas.
Policy Statement (12):
Research, innovation, and knowledge sharing on Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be given
high priority and facilitated and coordinated at all levels.
Thrust Area 12.1: Researchers, Scientists, and Innovators shall be given opportunities for
planned and continued opportunities for research and product development.
Thrust Area 12.2: Knowledge-sharing platforms on Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be
created on-site and virtually.
Thrust Area 12.3: Innovators, service delivery persons, and institutions related to the
Environmentally Sensitive Areas shall be facilitated for sustainable
production, market, and value chain development.
Thrust Area 12.4: Opportunities for Environmentally Sensitive Areas related to knowledge
gaining, skills development, and behavioural changes through shaping
attitudes towards environmental sensitivity shall be made available at all
levels for all.
Terminolog

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ies.

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(This terminology has been developed based on the concepts and terminologies of International
Institute for Environment and Development, IUCN, CBD Glossary, and Global Environmental
Fund)
Biological Diversity: The variability among living organisms from all sources, including
terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they
form part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.
Biological Diversity Values: The intrinsic, ecological, genetic, social, economic,
scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its
components.
Climate Change: Climate change refers to any change in climate over time, whether
due to natural variability or as a result of human activity. This usage differs from that
in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which defines
‘climate change‘ as: ―a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human
activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to
natural climate variability observed over comparable periods.
Community: Is a social unit with a commonality such as norms, values, or identity, and shares
a sense of place (geographical area) or space (virtual space) and shares common roles in
social institutions including humanity at large.
Conservation: The protection, care, management, and maintenance of ecosystems,
habitats, wildlife species, and populations, within or outside of their natural environments, to
safeguard the natural conditions for their long-term permanence.
Ecosystem Services: the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing.
They can be categorized into four main types: provisioning services (e.g. food, water, fuel,
medicines); regulating services (e.g. local climate, soil erosion, wastewater treatment,
pollination, flood control); habitat services (e.g. for species and genetic diversity); and
cultural services (e.g. recreation, tourism).
Environmental Justice: Fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless
of race, color, national origin, or income, concerning the development, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This goal will be achieved
when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards,
and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to
live, learn, and work.
Environmental Policy Integration (EPI): A process of integrating environmental
objectives (both mitigation and adaptation) into non-environmental and economically focused
policy areas, such as agriculture, transport, energy, and development, as a key element
of sustainable development.
Green Financing: Increasing level of financial flows (from banking, micro-credit, insurance,
and investment) from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to sustainable
development priorities.
Habitat: the place or type of site where an organism or population occurs
naturally.
Hotspot: An area on earth with an unusual concentration of species, many of which are endemic

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to the area, and which are under serious threat by people.

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Integrity: is a measure of the wholeness and intactness of the natural and/or cultural heritage and
its elements. Examining the conditions of integrity, therefore, requires assessing the extent
to which the property: a) includes all elements necessary to express its outstanding universal value;
b) is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which
convey the property’s significance; c) suffers from adverse effects of development and/or neglect
(IUCN, 2011)
Nature-based Solutions (NbS): are defined by IUCN as “actions to protect, sustainably manage,
and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and
adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”.
Natural Capital is a way of explaining the value of nature and biodiversity to economically
minded decision-makers. A deliberate parallel is drawn to financial systems where stocks
of financial capital generate financial flows. Similarly, natural capital is the world’s stock of natural
assets such as water, land, soil, and wildlife, from which flow a multitude of valuable goods and
services. Just as a more diverse portfolio of financial stocks is more resilient to external shocks, so
is a more diverse portfolio of natural capital.
Natural Resources: Materials or substances occurring in nature that can be exploited for
economic gain. They may be renewable, and derived from living resources, such as timber, bush
meat, and firewood; or finite, and derived from inanimate sources, such as oil and gas and minerals.
Biodiversity secures the long-term production of these resources.
Protected Areas: An area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated,
and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of
nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. (IUCN Definition 2008)
Purchase of Development Rights or Transform of Development Rights: Protection and
conservation of privately own sensitive or productive or aesthetic landscapes through purchasing
the right to development or subdividing rights of the landowner of private land, while the
landowner retains all other rights and responsibilities associated with the land parcel. The land
parcel shall purchase by the government or a government-approved private party when the land is
highly encumbered with a conservation easement, by compensating the landowner for
development restrictions and taking protective measures imposed on the landowner.
Sustainable Financing: Process of taking due account of environmental, social, and governance
(ESG) considerations when making investment decisions in the financial sector, leading to
increased longer-term investments into sustainable economic activities and projects.
Sustainable Use: Sustainable use means the use of components of biological diversity in a way
and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining
its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations (Article 2
of Convention on Biological Diversity).
Wise Use: Maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation
of ecological approaches, within the context of sustainable development (COP3, Ramsar
Convention). Wise use proponents describe human use of the environment as "stewardship of the
land, the water and the air" for the benefit of human beings (www.definitions.net/definition).