"The Biodiversity Economy Strategy (BES) covers the period ending 2030 and seeks to increase the biodiversity contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while conserving the country's ecosystem," the department said on Thursday.
The draft strategy was approved by cabinet at its meeting on 28 July.
The aim of the policy is to increase the economic benefits of the wildlife and bioprospecting industries through its sustainable use, in line with the vision of the department.
Its purpose is to provide a 14-year national coordination, leadership and guidance to the development and growth biodiversity economy.
"An industry growth goal has been set in the strategy which requires that by 2030 the South African biodiversity economy will achieve an average annualised GDP growth rate of 10 percent per annum in line with the National Development Plan's Vision 2030," the department said.
The Biodiversity Economy Strategy also seeks to contribute to the transformation of the biodiversity economy in South Africa through inclusive economic opportunities, reflected by a sector which is equitable.
The strategy provides the opportunity to develop the rural economy of the country and address environmental and rural development imperatives of government.
"The transformation enabling interventions contained in the strategy address a wide variety of constraints faced by the wildlife and bioprospecting industries separately, and identify responsibilities for government and the private sector," the department said.
Also included in the strategy was the establishment of a National Biosprospecting Forum, which is aimed at enhancing development in the natural ingredients sector.
The public is invited to submit comments to the Minister by 19 November 2015, via post to: The Director-General: Department of Environmental Affairs, Attention: Mrs Preshanthie Naicker-Manick, Private Bag x447, Pretoria, 0001 or by hand to Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083 or by email to az.vog.tnemnorivne@rekciaNP.
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