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NATIONAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The National Environmental Policy
THE CONCEPT
A. Background: - The
National Integrated Development Plan has been adopted by Government to promote the
sustainable development of the Territory for the period 1999 – 2003. One of the
eleven identified development objectives of the plan is to ensure environmental
sustainability. This is to be archived through a broad policy thrust which is to enhance
the overall development potential by human resource development, improved management of
the environment, physical space and sound economic management.
B. Policy Framework: - The
major elements of the broad policy goals for environmental sustainability as outlined in
the plan are:
- Strengthening the institutional
capacity.
- Rationalization and strengthening of
the regulatory framework with an emphasis on enforcement.
- Improving the policy framework.
- Improving public awareness and
responsibility.
- Promoting environmental health.
Specific policy goals are outlined
in the NIDS environment sector matrix attached.
To achieve these goals NIDS
proposed a strategy based upon two components:
1. The establishment of
a restructured and strengthened environmental management agency -
- with responsibility for all matters
relating to the environment.
- with responsibility for the
development of a National Environmental Policy and a National Environmental Action Plan to
address specific strategic issues and to guide the implementation of the policy measures.
2. The development of spacing
or zoning plan, which will allow the determination of the carrying capacity of different
areas of the territory.
Critical to the implementation of
thee strategies are,
i. Adequate
funding both internal and external.
ii. Finalization of the National Physical development Plan to determine land
use in the territory.
iii. Mandatory EIA’s for major public and private sector development projects
iv. Consolidation and updating of legislation and regulations in accordance with
international
conventions.
THE WAY FORWARD
The development of a national
policy that ensures sustainable development based on the principles of the National
Integrated Development Plan, which recognizes that, an effective and efficient
environmental management strategy is an integral part of the overall development strategy.
In preparing the policy cognizance
would be given to the present institutional and legislative framework, inter-sectoral
linkages and professional groupings which have been and will continue to be involved in
the identification and implementation of measures designed to solve national environmental
problems.
The policy would aim at:
- Providing rational, practicable and
coherent approaches to development.
- Minimizing contradiction and
duplication in the institutional setup.
- Enhancing cooperation and
effectiveness at all levels.
Main Sections of
the National Environmental Policy
1. Statement of policy
goals.
2. Strategies for
implementation in the sector areas as reflected in NIDS and other existing development
plans and related policies as follows:
- Use of the sea-bed.
- Use of the sea and coastal waters.
- Land use.
- Tourism and recreational use.
- Waste management (solid waste,
sewerage, air pollution, waste oil)
- Air pollution.
- Resource conservation (water
quality, parks & protected areas, coastal habitats, biodiversity conservation).
- Information and data management.
- Technology and research development.
- Education and public awareness.
- Disaster response (oil spills and
natural disasters).
3. Public
participation.
4. Institutional and
intergovernmental arrangements [organizational structure, capacity building (human
resource and infrastructure development)]
5. Legislative
framework [domestic legislations/regulations / guidelines, surveillance and enforcement].
6. International
treaties and obligations.
7. Monitoring and
evaluation – preparation of a State of the Environment report biannually.
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