Functions of the Council

(1) The Council is established to advise the Minister on– (a) the development of partnerships with co- managers and stakeholders for participatory protected areas management; (b) the development of the necessary tools and framework for multi-disciplinary capacity development for protected areas management; (c) the development of appropriate human resource capacity for managing the National Protected Areas System; and (d) the efficient and effective coordination with other governmental bodies to minimize conflict and address issues pertaining to 18 (e) Belize’s obligations under international and regional conventions relating to the National (f) matters pertaining to the illegal trans- boundary incursions into the Protected Areas System; and (g) effective and strategic ways in which to strengthen the coordination and collaboration for the management of nature-based protected areas and culture-based protected areas, such as the Archaeological Reserves, where deemed necessary. (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Council shall– (a) advise on the maintenance and extension of the National Protected Areas System, in particular, by including underrepresented ecosystems in the National Protected Areas System, in accordance with the approved process or mechanism and criteria for modification, category re- classification, management and de-reservation of private and public marine and terrestrial protected areas; (b) assess whether areas proposed as Private areas meet the for participation in the National Protected Areas System and advise the Minister accordingly; (c) discharge such other advisory functions generally or relating to the National Protected Areas System as may be assigned to it by the Minister under this Act. National Protected Areas System [CAP. 215 19