By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

President Remengesau last week signed the Protected Areas Network regulations which will implement provisions of the Protected Areas Network Act.
The regulation is aimed at "establishing a fair and efficient system governing the designation, application and effective operation of the PAN system."
Under the regulations the PAN shall be administered by the Ministry of Resources and Development in consultation with state government officials and the steering committee.
According to the regulation, the categories for the protected areas are those that are managed mainly for science or an area of land and or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystems; protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection; protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation; protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features; protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention; protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation and protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystem.
Under the regulation, each state in consultation with the responsible ministry will be responsible for the management of the areas within the borders that are designated as part of the PAN.
When approved by the ministry, the states may manage such areas jointly with other states or the national government or both.
Applicant of the PAN is required to develop a management plan for areas designated as part of the PAN in conjunction with the ministry within 12 months after designation.