II. NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
[ II | II-A | II-B | II-C | II-D | II-E | II-F | II-G | II-H ]
F. Inadequacy of institutional arrangements
[ F | F-1 | F-2 | F-3 | F-4 | F-5| F-6 | F-7 | F-8 ]
The ministries which comprise the membership of IDEC reflect the cross-sectional nature of the environmental issues in Tonga. The responsibility for environmental management does not rest with the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources alone; it also requires the involvement of line ministries. Better coordination and liaison is needed between the key ministries and agencies in handling environmental issues and concerns, especially as the lack of comprehensive environmental legislation remains an serious obstacle in many ways. That, in turn, hinders the capabilities and powers of the Environmental Planning Section.
Cases often arise which warrant action from an environmental point of view, but which are either outside the scope of the Environmental Planning Section or are cases over which it exercises minimal authority. The line ministries and departments, not the Environmental Planning Section, usually have the mandate to enforce legislation and regulations and to implement adequate measures.
Unfortunately, little effort is being made where environmental implications are concerned.
|
