CHM - ORTAreas protected from development, when well-planned, managed, and enforced are an important global means by which biodiversity can be conserved. Over the past decade, the use of well-managed OECMs has become recognized as another mechanism whereby local communities can be assisted to recover and sustain ecosystems and associated biodiversity. This objective for this target is to This target is primarily related to SDGs 14 and 15, and GFGs 1 and 3 for the sustainable management of land and aquatic resources and protected areas.
Timor-Leste has about 16% of the land area under protection and marine protected areas cover about 678 km2. However, there are no implemented management plans (although some have been developed but not finally approved) and official boundary demarcation is still an ongoing process. There has been success with creating and managing LMMAs, and there are plans to expand the use of this form of protected area, with assistance from NGOs and other international agencies. Overall however, protected areas management requires far more government support than at present if the existing protected areas are to be more than “paper parks”.
The protected areas agenda and tourism development, which is a government priority, need to be merged to enhance protection, provide proper management and planning, and to foster tourism development that will support local communities. Current government priorities focus on improving the protected areas network, including a specific focus on a marine peace park and expansion of the protected areas at Atauro Island and an international marine park with Indonesia. Lack of management plans and their implementation as well as boundary establishment are other urgent needs for an effective network of protected areas. This target also links to target 1 for connectivity and target 2 for forest restoration.
Responsible Ministry(ies): MAFFL, MTE
Actions:
1. Finalize and implement the management plans for all three National Parks and 3 other protected areas, including consultations with local communities. (Ongoing MAFFL programme)
2. Continue working towards creating protected areas at Manatuto, Baucau, and Covalima.
3. Continue efforts to create an International Marine Peace Park with Indonesia. (Ongoing MAFFL programme)
4. Make improvements to visitor services at Nino Konis National Park and at Kayrala Xanana Gusmao National Park to improve the attraction to tourists, in part through further training of local communities for park management.
5. Establish at least 10 new LMMAs and 300+ ha of new community forest, with 3 CF committees established.
6. Finalize the Atauro National Marine Park and conduct a biodiversity assessment to include mapping of coral reefs at the Park. (Ongoing MAFFL programme)
7. Establish a multi-stakeholder, gender-balanced, protection area management authority for 47 identified locations, consisting of government, municipal authorities, and local community representatives.
8. Increase marine protected areas to 23.
9. Complete a national strategy and action plan on the sustainable development of protected areas and national parks.
| Global Targets | Degree of Alignment |
GBF-T03. 30% of areas are effectively conserved GBF-T03. 30% of areas are effectively conservedEnsure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories where applicable, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories. | Medium |
GBF-T09. Management of wild species is sustainable and benefits people GBF-T09. Management of wild species is sustainable and benefits peopleEnsure that the management and use of wild species are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and environmental benefits for people, especially those in vulnerable situations and those most dependent on biodiversity, including through sustainable biodiversity-based activities, products and services that enhance biodiversity, and protecting and encouraging customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities. | Medium |