Principles and Measures

In discharging the duties assigned under this Act, the Minister shall– (a) safeguard for all Belizeans, safe, healthy, productive, aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings by preserving important aesthetic and natural aspects of Belize’s heritage classified as (b) enhance national pride in and encourage stewardship of Belize’s natural heritage at the National Protected Areas System [CAP. 215 15 national, regional, local, community and individual levels of society; (c) promote the widest range of beneficial uses of biodiversity without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences in order to provide for sustainable economic development; (d) promote a balance between population and biodiversity resource use which will permit a higher standard of living and the conservation of natural resources for future generations; (e) enhance the quality of renewable resources and strive for the optimum use of non- renewable resources; and (f) have regard to Belize’s commitments under the– (i) United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity; (ii) United Nations Climate Change Convention; (iii) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification; (iv) Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat; (v) The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species; (vi) UNESCO World Heritage Convention. 16