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Title Biodiversity policy in South Africa: finding new values and shifting paradigms
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/1807/100
Date 1997
Author(s) Fakir, Saliem
Abstract The ushering in of the new democracy in South Africa has provided a window of opportunity for democratic policy-making based on meaningful consultation and public participation. Policy formulation underway is increasingly engaging complex and rigorous public participation. This evolving process is providing an invaluable space and meeting ground for the sharing of values between the different peoples of South Africa. This paper discusses some of the innovative environmental policy developments in South Africa that have evolved as a result of the unfolding Biological Diversity policy process. The impact of the Convention on Biological Diversity on policy making procedures may well form a trend-setting example for the future.
Subject(s) Medicine
Language en_US
Publisher Biostrategy Associates
Relation 1. Saliem Fakir is at the Natural Resources Management Programme at the LAPC.; 2. There are nine provinces in South Africa, which have their own parliaments and legislative and executives bodies. Previously, environmental functions existed as nature conservation departments. With the interim constitution the conception of environment was broadened. Provincial governments have either chosen to combine nature conservation with environment, or create independent departments. Nature conservation departments generally concerned themselves with biodiversity and the management of protected areas. ; 3.This is a guiding vision that was developed by the African National Congress just before the April 1994 elections. The RDP laid out the goals and objectives of the new government in addressing social and economic concerns that the country faces.; 4. Such are being reinforced by NGOs participating as part of government delegations at meetings concerning International Conventions such as the Biodiversity Convention. ; 5. The total policy process cost R600 000 or $130 000 US dollars.; 6. Green papers are official government documents that are still open for public consideration. A White paper is an official and final government position and also specifics budgetary implications. White papers are placed through a parliamentary process of debate and refinement. Interest groups therefore still have an opportunity to make submissions to parliament if they feel that their interest are not sufficiently protected in the final version of the White paper. At the end, White papers make policy recommendations where final decisions are left for politicians to make.; 7. The content of the discussion document, in terms of its various themes was separated into the following format: synopsis, which gave a brief overview of the subject matter, key issues, and suggested policy options to identify possible ways in which the key issues could be resolved.; 8. In the Southern African perspective a developmentalist approach is necessary given the fact that there is widespread poverty. Thus focus was given to how conservation areas could be more economically viable and benefits generated for a wider grouping of people in society. Biodiversity also offers the potential to create other viable economic options, such as eco-tourism ventures and the commercial use of genetic resources in the bioprospecting industry. The policy therefore places more emphasis on sustainable use and support of livelihoods out of which a conservation strategy can be implemented.; 9. See Green Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa's Biological Diversity, Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism, October 1996. ; 10. See also Laird, S and Wynberg, RP Biodiversity Prospecting In South Africa, Towards the Development of Equitable Partnerships, LAPC, July 1996.; 11.Article 15 of the Convention provides ...Each Contracting Party shall endeavour to create conditions to facilitate access to genetic resources for environmentally sound uses by other Contracting Parties and not to impose restrictions that run counter to the objectives of this Convention. ; 12. See Fakir, S Genetic Resource Conservation and Economic Use in South Africa: A review of the Current Policy Situation, LAPC Working Paper No. 50, August 1996.
Type of publication Journal (Online / Unpaginated); Yes
Format 1815 bytes; 95244 bytes; text/plain; application/pdf
Identifier Biopolicy Journal 2(1)
Repository Toronto - University of Toronto
Added to C-A: 2014-06-30;10:40:11