Section 12, Conservation Trust Fund Act, 2012

(1) The object for which the Authority is established isto exercise oversight authority over National Parks and Protected Areas designated for conservation purposes so as to protect the fauna and flora in its natural state, promote sustainable land use practices and environmental management (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) the Authority shall have responsibility to– (a) ensure the protection of natural ecosystems and threatened biodiversity in Sierra Leone including the establishment and maintenance of representative and sustainable samples; (b) oversee the management of local and private nature reserves and sanctuaries throughout Sierra Leone including zoos and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres; (c) supervise the management of wildlife outside conservation areas; (d) regulate wildlife conservation and management throughout Sierra Leone in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972 (Act No. 27 of 1972) (e) promote eco-tourism in Protected Areas; (f) collaborate with other stakeholders in developing a national REDD+ Strategy and promoting REDD+ Projects in Sierra Leone as a source of sustainable financing for Protected Area Management; (g) develop and implement wildlife conservation education and training programmes throughout Sierra Leone; (h) promote biodiversity research; (i) formulate and implement awareness activities for local communities, schools, and local administration to promote knowledge of and participation in programs and services, relating to socioeconomic and environmental issues including, fisheries, agricultural and forestry best practices, forest management, land, soil and water conservation in Protected Areas ‘and buffer zones; (j) operate, manage the National Protected Areas in line with national conservation policies and laws; (k) enter into public-private partnership agreements for the management of National Protected Areas; (l) develop management objectives, structures and mechanisms necessary for the management of the National Protected Areas; (m) sensitise local communities and address local stakeholders’ interests on land conservation and socioeconomic issues; 8 9 Functions of (n) prepare detailed inventory and mapping of fauna and flora; (o) establish a detailed biodiversity monitoring programme including a GIS unit that would store and disseminate data on the status of biodiversity in Sierra Leone; (p) carry out such other functions and programmes as may be necessary for the attainment of the objects of the Authority including– (i) management, monitoring and evaluation of Protected Areas; (ii) development and approval of management plans, zoning and National Protected Area regulations; (iii) development of national biodiversity and conservation policies in line with international best practices; (iv) preparation of national strategic action plans for the conservation of key biodiversity species such as Pygmy Hippopotamus; (v) evaluation and approval of National Protected Areas annual operation plans and budgets; (vi) representing the Government of Sierra Leone in international conventions and conferences; (vii) undertake capacity building initiatives for National Protected Areas staff; (viii) overseeing the implementation of CITIES; (ix) undertaking biodiversity gap analysis and preparing proposals for the establishment of new National Protected Areas; (x) developing policies and strategies for adapting the National Protected Areas system to the impacts of climate change; (xi) promoting policies for enabling by local forest edge communities to participate and co-manage national resources inside and outside National Protected Areas; (xii) developing and promoting National Protected Area corridors and buffer zones conservation strategies based on the principles of multiple use and comanagement; and (xiii) representing the Government of Sierra Leone in the negotiation of Transboundary Protected Area Agreements and development and implementation of associated policies, strategies and management plans. PART IV – ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS