National biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) : Republic of Kiribati

Abstract

The Biodiversity in this context means all terrestrial and marine ecosystems, all plants and animal species and varieties found in these ecosystems including the knowledge, uses, beliefs and language that the people of Kiribati have in relation to their ecosystems and species. Biodiversity Conservation is always considered along with sustainable use. It has been confirmed that the present state of biodiversity in the Republic of Kiribati is being degraded socially, economically, politically and even judicially. As a nation with very limited resources we just cannot afford to sit back and let this serious degradation continues. If the biodiversity is not conserved or used on a sustainable basis, and if traditional sustainable management practices, and the knowledge and relevant language are not maintained or strengthened then future development would not be able to sustain the people in the long term. The main key in the whole process is the resource owners and users at the community level who hold the longlasting key to biodiversity conservation.