Belarus - Overview

Remark:

Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

This eastern European country possesses thousands of species of algae and fungi, which represent 80% of the country’s flora. Belarus is home to 310 species of birds, 13 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles. 76 mammals are present in Belarus, notably the European bison. As a result of the State Programme on conservation and re-introduction of bison, the population had risen to more than 600 individuals by 2005... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

The Specially Protected Areas (SPA) system comprise 1 nature reserve, 4 national parks, 96 national preserves, 410 local preserves, and 909 natural monuments. The SPA system occupies 8,4% of the country’s territory.

Percentage of Forest Cover

Forests occupy 38.6% of the country’s territory.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

As stated in the NBSAP, the most important measures for the implementation of the basic provisions of the National Strategy are: the formulation of State policies and improvement of legislation in the field of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; the improvement of State management and control over conservation and use of biodiversity; the creation of ecological and economical backgrounds for the regulation of conservation and use of biodiversity; the development of fundamental and applied science in the field of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; the development of the System of Specially Protected Territories and measures for the protection of rare and endangered species; the ecological improvement of scientific and technical activities and optimum use of natural resources in various social and economic sectors; ecological education, training and promotion; and sources and ways of attraction of capital investments and technical resources... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Several measures have been taken in order to achieve the 2010 biodiversity target. The priority national target is the conservation and sustainable use of one of Europe’s most important inland water region, Belarus Polesje, located in the southern part of the country. As noted above, SPA coverage is intended to reach around 9% of the country’s territory... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

In December 2005, a Specially Protected Areas system was established in which concrete biodiversity targets exist for each SPA. Among other actions related to protected areas, the country intends to increase the SPA system in order to cover around 9% of the territory by 2015. Furthermore, the State of Belarus plans to use the potential of the SPAs to contribute to the European ecological network... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Ms. Natalya Minchenko	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP (ONLY), Protected Areas NFP
Head Ministry of Foreign Affairs	CBD Primary NFP, CHM NFP, SBSTTA NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Ms. Natalya Minchenko	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Prof. Elena Makeyeva	BCH NFP