Foreword

Zambia is endowed with an abundance of Natural Resources and a fairy rich biological diversity. In common with other developing countries, Zambia is highly dependent on the exploitation of biologieal resources for the livelihood of the majority of its people especially those living in rural areas. Since the early 1980s Zambia has wimessed rapid degradation of its biological resources due to over exploitation and destruction from pollution, fires and other human activities. Although the total contribution of biological diversity to the national economy is not known, the contribution of agriculture, forestry and fishing to GDP was estimated at 17.2 percent in 1996 and 16.0 percent in 1997 .

Zambia recognizes the importance of biodiversity and has over the years developed a number of programmes aimed at conserving the country's biodiversity and ensuring its sustainable use. On May 28, 1993 Zambia ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to signify our commitment to the convention, and early in 1997, we embarked on the process of developing a national Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) as a tool for biodiversity conservation. This plan states Zambia's development priorities, potential and constraints and identifies opportunities for donor support in the conservation and management of the country's biodiversity during the next five years (2000-2004).

The preparation of this document also serves to comply with the provisions of Article 6 of the CBD requiring all contracting parties to develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of the national biodiversity. The overall process of preparing the BSAP therefore followed a coordinated participatory approach involving broad representation of all stakeholders including policy and development planners, resource managers, academics, NGOs, the private sector, traditional leaders, international organizations and individuals. 

The preparation of this document was made possible through funding kindly made available by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to whom we are greatly indebted, lechnical support and guidance for the preparation of this document was provided by IUCN - The World Conservation Union. We are greatly indebted to these organizations. 

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, 1 would like to express sincere gratitude to all the consultants and participants who were involved in various workshops and those who worked tirelessly to make this report possible.

Hon. William J. Harrington, MP
Minister of Environment and natural Resources