National Environmental Act 1980 (No. 47 of 1980).

The Act provides for the establishment of the Central Environmental Authority, whose functions and duties shall be: (a) to recommend to the Minister the national environmental policy and the criteria to be taken into account for the protection of the environment; (b) to undertake surveys and investigations; (c) to conduct, promote and coordinate research; (d) to specify standards and methods to be adopted in taking samples and making tests; (e) to provide information and education to the public; (f) to promote, encourage and co-ordinate long range planning in environmental protection and management.
The Act makes provision for the establishment of the Environmental Council which shall generally advise the Authority on matters pertaining to its responsibilities, powers and duties, and on any matters referred to it by the Authority.
According to the provisions of article 9 the Authority shall appoint a District Environmental Agency for each administrative district consisting "of such members as the Authority may determine" (art. 9).
For the purpose of ensuring the rational exploitation of the country's natural resources, the Authority in consultation with the Council shall formulate and recommend to the Minister a land use scheme consistent with an efficient system of acquisition, utilization and disposition of land and with the rational use and conservation of land resources. The Scheme may include: (a) a land inventory and classification system; (b) a determination of present land uses; (c) an identification of the areas having historic, cultural or aesthetic value; (d) a policy for influencing the location of new areas of resettlement and the methods for assuring appropriate control over the use of land in such areas.

Attached files

Environmental Governance and Rights

Long title of text

An Act to establish a Central Environmental Authority to make provision with respect to the powers, functions and duties of that Authority; and to make provision for the protection and management of the environment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.