Articles of the Convention concerning protected areas
The term “protected area” is defined in
Article 2 of the Convention as “a geographically defined area, which is designated or regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives”. Sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) (e) and (m) of
Article 8 contain specific references to protected areas and provide that Parties should:
- Establish a system of protected areas or areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity;
- Develop, where necessary, guidelines for the selection, establishment and management of protected areas or areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity;
- Regulate or manage biological resources important for the conservation of biological diversity whether within or outside protected areas, with a view to ensuring their conservation and sustainable use;
- Promote environmentally sound and sustainable development in areas adjacent to protected areas with a view to furthering protection of these areas;
- Cooperate in providing financial and other support for in-situ conservation, particularly to developing countries.
In addition to the provisions on in-situ conservation, a number of additional articles are relevant to the establishment and management of protected areas. These include in particular:
- Provisions on sustainable use in Articles 6 and 10, given the fact that protected areas are increasingly places managed for multiple purposes;
- Provisions on ex-situ conservation (Article 9) and restoration / rehabilitation (Articles 8f and 14.2) to complement on site efforts to protect habitats and species
- Provisions on tools important for protected area management and planning such as biodiversity monitoring (Article 7) and impact assessment (Article 14);
- Other provisions including 8(j) on traditional knowledge, Article 11 on incentive measures;
- Article 12 on research and training and Article 13 on public education and awareness.
The text of the Convention can be accessed
here.
