Conserving and Protecting Environment

SANA'A - The Poverty Reduction Strategy highlighted the importance of strengthened management of natural resources, empowerment and involvement of beneficiaries, employment of the poor in environmental projects, and enhancement of the role of women and young people in preserving the environment. 

Measures taken during 2003 included strengthen institutional structure and the technical capacity of environmental management.  Several decrees have been issued; most significant is the Republican Decree for establishing a Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), the Cabinet decrees concerning the institutional, legislative and technical conditions of the ministry, and the founding of a Directorate of Environmental Tourism in the General Tourism Authority (GTA). 

In 2004, a Cabinet Decree established the General Environment Authority (GEA), and the creation of a Biological Safety Unit in the GEA.  A proposal was prepared for setting up GEA branches in the Governorates of Shabwa, Hodeidah and Taiz. Other departments were also established, to adopt and carry out mechanisms for marine protection and prevention of pollution.

Nonetheless, there is still a need to finalize institutional structures and identify the tasks and responsibilities of the MWE, to avoid duplication with regional development authorities, rural development projects and bilateral projects. In 2003, measures focused on reviewing Environment Protection Law No 26 passed in 1995, in the light of recent developments and changing conditions, in addition to amending its bylaw to avoid overlapping and ensure protection of environment from violations. 

Similarly, documents for the implementation of the Master Plan for Preserving and Developing Socotra as a natural sanctuary have been submitted to the cabinet.  In 2003 and 2004, preparations were undertaken to declare four protected sanctuaries on the Red Sea Coast (Al-Khokha, Al-Luhayyah, Al-Tahieitah and Koba), along with Belhaf-Bir Ali in the Sliabwa, Bura�a in Hodeidah, Houf in Al-Mahra and Gitmoun in Hadramout.

Surveys were carried out for these reserves, and the plan for Integrated Management of the Coastal Area in Aden was completed. Measures were initiated in 2003 to coordinate support for environmental management through the creation of a Donor Information System and staff training in drafting project proposals and identifying needs.  Other government agencies have also established links on environmental protection and the preservation of ecological balance, and the assessment of environmental impact on society and its relation to poverty. 

The National Action Program for Marine Environmental Protection (on-Shore activities) has been prepared, although its schemes could not be implemented due to financial problems.   Law No. 16 for 2004 concerning the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution was issued, and coordination is underway between the Authority for Marine Affairs and the GEA in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization and the Regional Authority for Preservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The view is to formulate a comprehensive plan-of-action for environmental emergencies. 

In 2003, a draft resolution was submitted to the Cabinet on control of ozone damaging materials, and efforts continue to push for its approval. In 2004, draft legislation for the control of imports and permits for materials that deplete the ozone was prepared. A cabinet resolution has been issued ratifying Yemen�s accession to the Kyoto Protocol on protecting environment from climatic changes. A decree has been issued concerning the International Framework Treaty on climatic change, in accordance with the Kyoto, Protocol. However, the Protocol measures have yet to be executed.  A decree was also issued concerning the protocol for controlling cross border transport and elimination of hazardous waste (Basil), in addition to approving the National Strategy for the Integrated Management of Hazardous Waste.

  Draft copies were prepared for the National Strategy for Bio-Diversity and its action plans, the National Plan for Static Organic Material and the Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Treaty for Static Organic Material. Approval was granted for the International Treaty on Procedures for Advance Consent on Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides. In 2003, some NGOs were supported by the Institutional Capacity Development Project to implement environmental projects. 

The Program for Small Grants and Capacity Building, for NGOs engaged in environment protection and the preservation of natural resources, was set up with the support of the World Environment Facility. This project is primarily aimed at poor households.  A training program focusing on capacity building was also conducted in 2003 and 2004 from which 36 NGOs benefited.  In 2003, 35 clubs were established in schools of the Capital Secretariat, Hadhramawt, Amran and Dhamar, in addition to 19 clubs in Utumah District of Dhamar the following year.

These clubs have achieved noticeable success in promoting environmental awareness, especially during local and national events. However, there is still an urgent need to expand these activities to other governorates. Education of club-supervisors, a guidance-manual for clubs and an environment manual for teacher are further required.

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