In order for the programme to be successful, a coordination centre will need to be established. This would act as a clearing house for information and as a facilitator for international collaboration between official and non-government conservation bodies, research organisations, individuals and other affected parties. This centre would also assist in establishing overall priorities and in obtaining the international financial support required to implement these priorities. The coordinating centre will also need to support an education programme aimed at all levels of society from local people whose subsistence may depend on the areas needing conserving, through business and other agencies wishing to utilize these areas for development and government and other political leaders who may be pressurised by other interests and desires. It will also need to develop, or otherwise acquire, an integrated, multi-level and multi-purpose, information system which can be used at local, national and international levels to support planning and management decisions as well as assisting with primary research. In addition to the overall coordination centre, the possibility of regional centres is also envisaged. These would coordinate local projects while maintaining close links with the overall centre.

The programme envisaged would preferably collaborate with, or involve, international bodies such as the IUCN, WWF, United Nations FAO and UNESCO, EarthWatch, the Biodiversity Foundation for Africa and a wide range of universities, museums, government and non-government conservation bodies as well as herpetological societies, reptile parks and other interested persons and organisations.

The information provided above is of necessity somewhat limited but should give some idea of the proposed programme. Comments from interested individuals and organisations will be appreciated. Details of completed, in progress, planned and desired projects involving work on the African herpetofauna would be of great value.

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