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The Environment Division

The legal and institutional framework for environmental management in the country is provided for in the Environmental Management Act (2004).

The Division of Environment was established in 1991 under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. In 1995, the Division of Environment was transferred to the Vice President’s Office to give it the requisite  priority and attention on promoting  management  environmental agenda. The Division of Environment is responsible for the overall environmental policy and regulation, formulation,  coordination and monitoring of environment policy implementation in the country.

Institutions, with enforcement role in environmental management include Sector Ministries, National Environment Management Council (NEMC) and Local Government Authorities.

The Environment Division is responsible for coordination of national and international matters related to environmental conservation and management. The Division is to be led by a Director and comprises of three Sections as follows:

• Environmental Natural Habitats Conservation

This section is responsible for developing ,reviewing and coordinating implementation of environmental      policies, acts, regulations, guidelines, programmes and strategies which are related to natural habitats and environmental conservation. Some of the specific areas of focus include biosafety; State of the Environment reporting; and biodiversity conservation of major lake basins such as Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa.In addition,the section coordinate Global Environment Facility (GEF) activities.

• Environmental Management of Pollution

 The section is charged with the prepararation, review and provision of advise on policies, legislation and guidelines which are related to environmental management of pollution. Some of the specific areas of focus include ozone depleting substances; persistent organic pollutants (POPs); and   sustainable consumption and production.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

The main responsibilities of this section  is to  prepare and review environmental management policies, legislatives, regulations, guidelines, criteria and procedures for environmental impact assessments, risk assessments and Strategic Environmental assessments. Some of the specific areas of focus include climate change; poverty and environment mainstreaming; approval of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA);