Experience from countries across the globe demonstrates the continuing decline in biodiversity associated with 'development in most major sectors. Losses of habitat, invasion by alien species and, restriction in movement and migration of species and displacement and isolation of species are some of the most pervasive threats. The concept “mainstreaming” has gained in popularity over the past decade and is used ever more widely. It is based on the premise that biodiversity conservation can only be achieved by consid­ering land use beyond the boundaries of protected areas and by considering threats across all development sectors. Mainstreaming is:

• Integrating biodiversity conservation requirements and development goals.

• Recognizing the value of services provided by biodiversity and ensuring that development is compatible with the maintenance of these services.

• Inserting biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into the mainstream economy.

• Incorporating biodiversity conservation goals into funded projects with other broad aims.
   

The Convention on Biological Diversity strongly advocates Impact Assess­ment (IA) as an important tool for ensuring that development is consistent with the sustainable use of biodiversity. This includes project- level EIA and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of policies, plans and programmes. The application of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is rapidly expanding around the world as a proactive instrument that promotes consideration of environmental issues at the earliest appropriate stage of policy, plan of programme development and facilities more sustainable solutions and alternatives for enhancing long term biodiversity resource conservation. Building capacities to promote good practices in IA and SEA therefore is essential for generating quality outputs for facilitating informed decision making.