Protected Area Planning for development of viable management plans and business plans for existing and new protected areas. There are two sets of areas where further detailed planning is required, namely existing protected areas and proposed conservation areas. Planning is carried out in a number of phases, beginning with the overall development and zonation plans for each area, then preparing detailed management programs and finally addressing business planning and sustainability. The preparation and continual update of protected area management plans is an essential component to guide the operational management of protected areas in an adaptive way. The protected area management team including the specialist input of an ecologist and other professionals usually undertakes this exercise. It is designed to determine the priority management programs for the effective management of the resource and the activities that occur there, and encompasses:

• Management to conserve biodiversity
• Community conservation programs
• Visitor facilities management
• Protected area administration (security, infrastructure, communications etc.)
• Research and information