The Burundian Office for Environmental Protection was created by decree No. 100/240 of 29 October 2014 establishing, missions, organization and functioning of the Office. This decree gives it the status of a Public Establishment with legal personality, its own assets and financial and administrative autonomy. The OBPE is one of the Directorates-General under the supervision of the Ministry responsible for the environment.

Missions of the OBPE

As specified in article 6 of the decree on the Creation, Mission, Organization and Operation of the Office, the mission of the Burundian Office for Environmental Protection is to:

1. Ensure compliance with the Water Code, the Forest Code, the Environmental Code and other texts related to the protection of the environment;
2. Establishing and monitoring mechanisms for trade and international trade in species of fauna and flora;
3. Enforce environmental standards and propose all measures to safeguard and protect nature;
4. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of development programs to ensure compliance with environmental standards in the planning and execution of all development projects, which may have a negative impact on the environment;
5. Ensure the implementation of the obligations arising from international environmental Conventions and Agreements to which Burundi is a Party;
6. Identify and propose new Areas to be protected and other areas rich in biodiversity that require special protection measures;
7. Undertake and encourage research and accompanying measures for the maintenance of biological diversity;
8. Establishing quality standards for forest species;
9. Establishing mechanisms for mitigating and adapting to climate change;
10. Prepare technical files for the National Environment Commission.

The OBPE is established as a General Directorate headed by a Board of Directors. It includes 3 Directions, namely:

1. Department of Forests,
2. Department of Environment and Climate Change
3. Administrative and financial management.

This decree defines the missions of each of these Directorates.

1. Department of Forests

The mission of the Forest Department is to:

1. Ensure the implementation and monitoring of the Government's policy on the development and management of forest resources;
2. Centralize data on forests and protected areas in collaboration with the technical services concerned;
3. Establish mechanisms for monitoring and managing protected areas;
4. Develop plans for the management and development of protected areas;
5. Prepare reports on the state of forest resources in Burundi;
6. Implement national forest policies;
7. Promote activities for the protection, preservation and management of protected areas;
8. Produce annually an annual report on the health status of protected areas;
9. Create corridors to connect protected areas within a national and regional framework to ensure the survival of as much biodiversity as possible;
10. Establish a mechanism for the rational exploitation of biological resources in protected areas;
11. Promote ex-situ conservation by creating botanical gardens, arboretums, zoos and other vivariums;
12. Develop and develop a structuring and pricing policy and strategy for the wood sector;
13. Ensure the availability and quality of forest and agro-forestry seeds adapted to the water balance (Climate-Soil-Vegetation interaction);
14. Develop a forest management master plan;
15. Extend the wooded area on land that is still vacant, reforestation of bare ridges, agroforestry;
16. Maintain and protect forest resources;
17. Promote the active participation of the population in community management and the development of forest heritage through agroforestry and rural forestry.

2. Department of Environment and Climate Change

According to article 31 of the decree on the Creation, Mission, Organization and Operation of the Office, the mission of the Department of Environment and Climate Change is to:

1. Ensure the coordination of interventions in the field of Climate Change;
2. Perform the ESIA Analysis;
3. Monitor the protection of green spaces and backup areas;
4. Monitor the implementation of the climate change policy, national strategy and action plan on climate change by the various stakeholders on a daily basis;
5. Monitor invasive species and put in place mechanisms for their eradication;
6. Promote research and development in the field of Climate Change;
7. Prepare reports on reports on the state of the environment in Burundi;
8. Implement environmental and climate change policies;
9. Promote activities for the protection of the environment, conservation and restoration of nature;
10. Put in place measures to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change;
11. Develop a national strategy on air pollution;
12. Develop a national policy on persistent organic pollutants.

 

3. Administrative and financial management

The mission of the Administrative and Financial Department is to:

1. Ensure the management of the Office's human and material resources;
2. Establish the provisional budget, proceed with its revision and execution;
3. Control cash and accounting entries;
4. Produce financial reports;
5. Establish the balance sheet at the end of the fiscal year.